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Predictive role of facial nerve palsy improvement in malignant external otitis
Abolfazl Jamshidi1, Alireza Zonnour1, Sasan Dabiri1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Otorhinolaryngology Research Center, Amir Alam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, North Saadi Ave., Tehran, 11457-65111, Iran.
Purpose:
To evaluate the effects of different factors on facial nerve palsy improvement in patients with malignant external otitis (MEO) and the predictive role of improvement on MEO.
Methods:
Data were collected from all MEO patients with facial paralysis who were hospitalized between 2012 and 2017 at a tertiary referral center. We contacted patients at least 6 months after their admission to evaluate their facial nerve function and survival rate.
Results:
In a study of 19 samples with a mean age of 69.1 years, 9 patients (47.7%) had some or complete improvement, while 10 (52.6%) had no or very minimal improvement. In this study, there was no statistically significant difference between patients with and without facial nerve palsy improvement in terms of age, sex, usage of antifungal treatment alongside antibiotics, duration of hospital stays, HbA1c level, presentation of hearing loss and vertigo, the severity of facial palsy, comorbidity score, mean of fasting blood sugar, leukocytosis, first ESR and ESR drop, CRP and physiotherapy. We found a positive correlation between improving facial palsy and patients' survival rates.
Conclusion:
Considering the possible influence of facial paralysis improvement prognosis on MEO patients' survival, it could affect our approach to the disease.
Insights
Facial nerve palsy improvement in malignant external otitis (MEO) patients did not correlate with various clinical factors. However, improved facial nerve function positively predicted patient survival rates in MEO.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
Background:
- Malignant external otitis (MEO) is a severe infection of the external auditory canal.
- Facial nerve palsy is a common complication of MEO, impacting patient prognosis.
- Understanding factors influencing recovery and survival is crucial for MEO management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors affecting facial nerve palsy improvement in MEO patients.
- To determine the predictive value of facial nerve palsy improvement on MEO patient survival.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of MEO patients with facial paralysis hospitalized between 2012-2017.
- Facial nerve function and survival rates assessed at least 6 months post-admission.
- Statistical analysis to identify correlations between improvement and various clinical parameters.
Main Results:
- Of 19 patients, 47.7% experienced some or complete facial nerve improvement; 52.6% had minimal/no improvement.
- No significant differences found in age, sex, treatment, hospital stay, glycemic control, or MEO severity between groups.
- A positive correlation was observed between facial palsy improvement and patient survival.
Conclusions:
- Facial nerve palsy improvement may serve as a prognostic indicator in MEO.
- Prognostic insights from facial nerve recovery could influence clinical management strategies for MEO.
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