Auditory brain stem response abnormalities in patients with Bell's palsy

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroscience
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Bell's palsy is a common idiopathic peripheral facial nerve paralysis.
• The potential involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) in Bell's palsy remains an area of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the hypothesis of CNS involvement in Bell's palsy.
• To evaluate auditory brain stem responses (ABR) in patients diagnosed with Bell's palsy.

Main Methods:

• Auditory brain stem responses (ABR) were recorded in 31 patients with Bell's palsy.
• Patients with abnormal ABR were retested after recovery from facial paresis.

Main Results:

• Nine out of 31 patients exhibited ABR abnormalities.
• No cochlear nerve dysfunction was observed in patients with abnormal ABR.
• Five of six retested patients with initial ABR abnormalities showed persistent abnormalities post-recovery.

Conclusions:

• Findings suggest potential brain stem level injury in some Bell's palsy cases.
• Persistent ABR abnormalities indicate possible long-term neurological sequelae.
• Reactivation of herpes simplex virus is discussed as a potential causative agent.