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The efficacy of steroids in idiopathic facial nerve paralysis: an open, randomized, prospective controlled study
Ulkü Türk-Börü1, Abdulkadir Koçer, Cevdet Bilge
1Department of Neurology, Dr. Lütfi Kirdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Objectives:
Although corticosteroid therapy is widely used in idiopathic facial nerve paralysis, its efficacy has not been clearly demonstrated. This study was designed to evaluate the role of steroids in idiopathic facial nerve paralysis.
Patients And Methods:
The study included 56 patients (29 males, 27 females; mean age, in men 44.1, in women 40.3 years) with a diagnosis of idiopathic facial nerve paralysis. Within the first three days after the onset of symptoms, the patients were randomly assigned to two groups to receive either steroids or other medications for the prevention of ocular complications or to provide pain relief. The severity of facial paralysis was evaluated using the House-Brackmann classification before and after three and six weeks of the treatment. Regression to stage 1 or 2 disease was regarded as a successful response.
Results:
Although the initial response to steroid therapy seemed to be better, the results at the end of three and six weeks of the treatment were not statistically different from those of patients receiving other supportive treatments (p>0.05).
Conclusion:
Further studies with large patient series are needed to clarify the use of steroids in the treatment of idiopathic facial nerve paralysis.