Prognostic value of facial nerve latency and blink reflex in Bell's palsy

Twenty six patients of Bell's palsy, 16 men and 10 women, with the mean age of 27?0.2 years were enrolled for the study. An equal number of age and sex matched normal healthy individuals formed the control group. Clinical assessment and electrophysiological tests like facial nerve latency (FNL), blink reflex (BR), and peripheral nerve conduction studies were done to assess the prognostic value of these electrophysiological tests early in the disease. Clinical severity of weakness in the first week correlated positively with the outcome at 8 weeks. The mean FNL did not bear prognostic relation to the outcome, it being significantly prolonged in both partial and full recovery groups. BR proved to be of prognostic value. Though the amplitudes of various components of BR were low in all patients, significant prolongation of latencies was seen only among those with partial recovery. Nerve conduction studies of peripheral nerves were normal in all the patients. Clinical examination and early blink reflex abnormalities are of prognostic value in Bell's palsy patients.