The impact of Chinese COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of peripheral facial nerve paralysis after optimizing policies.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the occurrence of Peripheral Facial Nerve Paralysis (PFNP) in Chinese patients, identify contributing factors, and explore the relationship between COVID-19 and PFNP. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study covering the years 2020 to 2023, categorizing patients into three groups based on their visit dates: Group 1 (December 8, 2020 to February 28, 2021), Group 2 (December 8, 2021 to February 28, 2022), and Group 3 (December 8, 2022 to February 28, 2023). We collected and compared data on disease onset and patient characteristics among these groups. Results: In Group 3, following the widespread COVID-19 outbreak, there was a significant increase of 22.4 and 12.1% in PFNP cases compared to the same periods in the preceding 2 years (p < 0.001). Group 3 patients were more likely to be aged between 30 and 60 years, experience onset within 7 days, present with Hunter syndrome, and have a higher H-B score of VI compared to the previous 2 years (p < 0.017). Logistic regression analysis revealed a strong association between the COVID-19 pandemic and the incidence of Hunter syndrome in PFNP (OR = 3.30, 95% CI 1.81-6.03, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The incidence of PFNP increased in China after the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in patients with Hunter syndrome, indicating that COVID-19 infection can trigger and worsen PFNP.

Basic and Clinical Research Review of the Effects of Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Peripheral Facial Nerve Paralysis / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

There is little common understanding among acupuncturists regarding the poor prognosis for peripheral facial paralysis, evaluation methods, precautions during treatment, including acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. Cooperation among relevant occupations is also a major issue. Currently, the treatment of paralysis is focused on how to minimize sequelae during the recovery process of paralysis in cases with poor prognosis. The goal is to prevent sequelae and improve patient quality of life (QOL). For that purpose, it is important to understand the guidelines for medical treatment of paralysis, and like other medical staff, the acupuncturist should provide appropriate medical examination, treatment, self-care guidance, etc., and cooperate with other medical specialists. We hope that this seminar will provide a common understanding of the pathophysiology and evaluation methods of paralysis, precautions for acupuncture and moxibustion treatment, and a consensus of clinical research and the future possibility of using acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of paralysis.

Clinical Prognostic Indicators in Predicting the Outcome in Patients with Bell's Palsy: A Descriptive, longitudinal Study from Puducherry, South India.

Electrophysiological studies can objectively predict the functional recovery in Bell's palsy but, the clinical prognostic indicators seem to be more practical where the nerve conduction studies are not available. To determine the clinical prognostic indicators in Bell's palsy patients and to determine the indicators with poor outcome for recovery. We designed a prospective, descriptive, and observational analysis of Bell's palsy patients, who presented to our ENT outpatients department. 34 patients with Bell's palsy were recruited for this study. We studied the demographic characteristics, sidedness, associated symptoms, time of presentation, grade, and therapeutic options. All the patients were followed up for 8 weeks and the final grade of functional recovery of the nerve was recorded. The patient information was entered in Epicollect 5software and the output was analysed as descriptive statistics. Hypothesis testing was accomplished by means of χ2 test or Fischer exact test, to compare the proportions of categorical data and continuous data using the Mann-Whitney U test. 91.17% (31/34) of Bell's palsy patients had complete facial nerve function recovery at the end of 8 weeks. Higher Age > 40 years (p = 0.022) and BP patients with coronary artery disease (p = 0.005) were the only two significant indicators for incomplete recovery. We suggest that all Bell's palsy patients seek medical advice early at the onset,especially the BP patients of older age and with coronary artery disease for faster recovery.

Overview of pediatric peripheral facial nerve paralysis: analysis of 40 patients.

Peripheral facial nerve paralysis in children might be an alarming sign of serious disease such as malignancy, systemic disease, congenital anomalies, trauma, infection, middle ear surgery, and hypertension. The cases of 40 consecutive children and adolescents who were diagnosed with peripheral facial nerve paralysis at Baskent University Adana Hospital Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology Unit between January 2010 and January 2013 were retrospectively evaluated. We determined that the most common cause was Bell palsy, followed by infection, tumor lesion, and suspected chemotherapy toxicity. We noted that younger patients had generally poorer outcome than older patients regardless of disease etiology. Peripheral facial nerve paralysis has been reported in many countries in America and Europe; however, knowledge about its clinical features, microbiology, neuroimaging, and treatment in Turkey is incomplete. The present study demonstrated that Bell palsy and infection were the most common etiologies of peripheral facial nerve paralysis.

Initial study on using acupuncture and traditional medicine in treatment of peripheral facial nerve paralysis induced by exposure to cold wind in Hai Phong traditional medicine in 2002 – 2003

The study of 37 patients with peripheral facial nerve paralysis due to cold treated acupuncture and traditional medicine at Hai Phong Traditional Medicine in 2002 - 2003. 20 males and 17 females, 20 - 40 years old was 51%. One group (first week treated patients) was 26 patients, two group (after first week treated patients) was 11 patients. After two weeks of treatment: 81% patients were totally recovered, 13.6% improvement and 5.4% unchangeable. One group: 100% patients were totally recovered, two group: 90% patients were totally recovered, 10% unchangeable