New Study Reports Prednisolone Significantly Reduces Lasting Effects of Bell’s Palsy

Facial paralysis expert, Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, discusses the importance of new Bell’s palsy treatment findings.

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) May 23, 2012

According to a report in the May issue of Archives of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, a recent Swedish and Finnish Scandinavian Bell’s palsy study revealed that treatment for Bell’s palsy with steroids within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms appeared to significantly reduce the number of patients with mild to moderate palsy severity at 12 months regardless of whether patients received antiviral treatment with Valtrex.

“This study provides very important insight into the treatment of Bell’s palsy. The study shows that it may not matter if antivirals are used or not as long as the individual is treated within 72 hours with steroids,” said Dr. Azizzadeh.

The randomized placebo-controlled trial, which focused on the effect of prednisolone in patients with Bell’s palsy, included 829 patients ages 18 to 75 years. Patients were divided into four treatment groups; placebo plus placebo, prednisolone plus placebo, the antiviral valacyclovir (Valtrex) plus placebo, and prednisolone plus valacyclovir.

The investigators evaluated facial function at 12 months using the Sunnybrook and House-Brackmann grading systems. Treatment with prednisolone significantly reduced mild and moderate sequelae in Bell’s palsy patients at 12 months. However, prednisolone did not reduce the number of patients with severe sequelae. Additionally, valacyclovir alone, as well as the combination of prednisolone plus valacyclovir did not reduce the number of patients with sequelae compared with prednisolone alone.

Dr. Azizzadeh also believes that, “while most patients recover from the effects of Bell’s palsy within six months, there are still a group of patients who experience severe degrees of synkinesis, or abnormal facial movements, that could benefit from additional treatments such as Botox, neuromuscular retraining, fillers and or surgery. The treatments must always be customized.”

Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, the Director of The Facial Paralysis Institute, is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who is deeply committed to the treatment of individuals with facial paralysis and Bell’s palsy. His expertise in facial plastic surgery has made him one of the most sought-after surgeons in the country.

Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, the Facial Paralysis Institute provides their patients with the most comfortable and technologically advanced facilities in the field of medicine. For more information, please visit http://www.FacialParalysisInstitute.com.