Prognostic Value of Electroneurography in Bell's Palsy and Ramsay-Hunt's Syndrome / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the usefullness of electroneurography (ENoG) as a prognostic indicator in Bell's palsy and Ramsay-Hunt's syndrome. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Retrospective case-series review in a university-based hospital. The treatment consisted uniformly of high-dose prednisolone, dextran, vasodilators, carbogen therapy, and stellate ganglion block. Acyclovir was administered in the case of Ramsay-Hunt's syndrome. ENoG was performed 7 to 10 days in Bell's palsy and 10 to 14 days in Ramsay-Hunt's syndrome. The recovery of the facial nerve function was documented using the House-Brackmann grading system. All patients were followed up until they recovered or at least for 3 months. RESULTS: The recovery rates to House-Brackmann grade II or better were 96.3% in Bell's palsy and 84.6% in herpes zoster oticus. There was no significant difference of ENoG value between recovery and non-recovery groups in Bell's pasly and in herpes zoster oticus. The logistic regression model between ENoG values and the chance of recovery was not found in Bell's palsy and in herpes zoster oticus. CONCLUSION: Although ENoG accurately predicts the percentage of remaining motor axons of the facial nerve, it cannot give a precise information on the prognosis or recovery rate of facial paralysis.