Acute Management of Bell’s Palsy

Abstract

Purpose of Review

To report the standard of care, latest advances, interesting new findings, and controversies about the treatment of Bell's palsy in the acute phase.

Recent Findings

Treatment with prednisolone alone within 72 h still is the treatment standard. The role of antivirals still is unclear. Since 2009, no trials with influence on the treatment standards have been performed. A study to clarify the role of prednisolone treatment in children is ongoing. Patient-related outcome measures like the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale and the Facial Disability Index are important tools to assess the quality of life and psychosocial impact of Bell's palsy next to the motor deficits. Simplified subjective electronic grading systems like the eFACE and first automated image analysis systems have been introduced.

Summary

Studies clarifying the role of antivirals for severe cases are urgently needed as well as an international consensus on the outcome measures in diagnostics and follow-up.

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