Comparison of the efficacy of various doses of steroids for acute facial palsy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Although steroids are effective for multiple types of acute facial palsies, an appropriate dosage remains to be established.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES:

The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of high, low, and moderate doses of steroids in patients with acute facial palsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 49 patients with Bell palsy, Ramsay Hunt syndrome, or traumatic facial palsy. The patients were divided into 3 groups. We determined the initial House-Brackmann (HB) grade of each patient and the HB grade at the 3-month follow-up to determine whether complete recovery was achieved.

RESULTS:

Results of electroneurography showed that the average and maximum rates of degeneration were not statistically different among the groups. Although the HB grade showed improvement after 3 months, the initial score was not significantly different from that at the follow-up. The degree of recovery was not significantly different among the groups.

CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE:

Our findings showed that a high dose of steroids did not achieve outcomes that were more clinically meaningful than did that of a moderate or a low-dose steroid. Therefore, moderate or low doses of steroids may be sufficient for the treatment of acute facial palsy.

• Authors: Kuk Jin Nam, Mun Soo Han, Yong Jun Jeong, YoonChan Rah, June Choi
• Journal: Acta oto-laryngologica (Acta Otolaryngol) Vol. 139 Issue 5 Pg. 451-455 (May 2019) ISSN: 1651-2251 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 30883243 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Glucocorticoids
• Methylprednisolone

Topics

• Adult
• Facial Paralysis (drug therapy)
• Female
• Glucocorticoids (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Male
• Methylprednisolone (administration & dosage)
• Middle Aged
• Retrospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome