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Cited by 1,189Facial Nerve Paralysis Treatment and ResearchTemporomandibular Joint DisordersOphthalmology and Eye Disorders

Bell's Palsy: The Spontaneous Course of 2,500 Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsies of Different Etiologies

Peitersen, Erik·2002·Acta Oto-Laryngologica
DOI 10.1080/000164802760370736
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The Copenhagen Facial Nerve Study aims to explain the spontaneous course of idiopathic peripheral facial nerve palsy which occurs without any kind of treatment. In this study Bell's palsy and idiopathic palsy are considered to be synonymous and specify an acute, monosymptomatic, unilateral peripheral facial paresis of unknown etiology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The material includes 2,570 cases of peripheral facial nerve palsy studied during a period of 25 years. It includes 1,701 cases of Bell's palsy and 869 of non-Bell's palsy. In the total patient sample, 116 had herpes zoster, 76 were diabetic, 46 were pregnant and 169 were neonates. A total of 38 different etiologies were observed. At the first consultation a standard ENT examination was performed, including a thorough description of the grade and localization of the paresis, taste, stapedius reflex and nasolacrimal reflex tests and acoustic-vestibular examination. Follow-up was done once a week during the first month and subsequently once a month until normal function was restored or for up to 1 year. RESULTS: The initial examination revealed 30% incomplete and 70% complete palsies. Follow-up showed that in 85% of patients function was returned within 3 weeks and in the remaining 15% after 3-5 months. In 71% of patients normal mimical function was obtained. Sequelae were slight in 12% of patients, mild in 13% and severe in 4%. Contracture and associated movements were found in 17% and 16% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: A survey of the literature showed that no kind of treatment, including prednisone, was able to give a better prognosis. The use of prednisone raises a big ethical problem because no evidence of its efficacy exists and the euphoric side-effect induces a false feeling of benefit in the patients.

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Crossref · 10.1080/000164802760370736

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  • Herpes zoster infection is one of the potential causes of facial-nerve palsy.

    “Herpes zoster infection, the incidence of which we found to be increased after vaccination, is one of the potential causes of facial-nerve palsy.31”

    From Safety of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine in a Nationwide Setting (2021) · cites this paper as [31]

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Authors
Peitersen, E.
Affiliations
Rigshospitalet (DK)
Corresponding author
Peitersen, Erik
Venue
Acta Oto-Laryngologica
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2002-01
Volume
122
Issue
7
Pages
4-30
ISSN
  • 0001-6489 (ISSN-L)
  • 1651-2251
DOI
10.1080/000164802760370736
OpenAlex
W2107664743
Cited by
1,189
References
84
Citations by year
2026: 71 · 2025: 62 · 2024: 63 · 2023: 92 · 2022: 101 · 2021: 121 · 2020: 86 · 2019: 74 · 2018: 45 · 2017: 49 · 2016: 48 · 2015: 52 · 2014: 43 · 2013: 58 · 2012: 49
FWCI
4.20
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Acta Oto-Laryngologica (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Facial Nerve Paralysis Treatment and Research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Complementary and Manual Therapy › Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Ophthalmology and Eye Disorders
Keywords
Bell's palsy, peripheral facial paralysis, spontaneous recovery, prognosis, facial paresis, facial contracture, prednisone, therapeutic ethics
MeSH terms
Adult, Female, Herpes Zoster, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Male, Pregnancy, Time Factors, Incidence, Bell Palsy, Diabetes Complications

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