Acoustic reflex in Bell's palsy

ABSTRACT

This work was done to re-evaluate the topognostic and prognostic value of stapedial reflex test/ in Bell's palsy. 20 cases of Bell's pasly were subjected to Schirmer's test, stapedial reflex and follow up for 6 months. It was found that the lesion was distal to the stapedius nerve in 3 cases [15%], in the tympanic segment in 14 cases [70%] and proximal to the geniculate ganglion in 3 cases [15%]. The presence or absence of the reflex was not a good index of prognosis but when the reflex was preserved the improvement started after a shorter duration. 57.1% of the cases with lost reflex showed return of the reflex before clinical improvement