A randomized controlled trial comparing the benefits and effects of corticosteroids to combination therapy in patients with Bell’s palsy has been recently conducted by Dr. John K. Goudakos, MD, MSc and Dr. Konstaninos D. Markou, MD, PhD of the University of Thessaloniki in Greece. In the meta-analysis, 358 patients were identified as taking corticosteroids alone and 351 patients were identified as taking a combination of corticosteroid and antiviral agents. Three months after the start of the therapy, the complete recovery rate was not significantly different between the corticosteroid group and the combination group. Even the adverse effects between the two groups do not significantly differ from each other.

Bell’s palsy is a facial motor dysfunction which affects the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). The degree varies from minor weakness to complete paralysis, depending on the amount of neural injury. Possible underlying causes include genetic factors, vascular ischemia, and inflammation due to viral infection or autoimmune disorders.

According to the authors of the study, corticosteroids have been established as a therapy of choice despite the fact that its benefits have not been fully established. Treatment decisions are still doubtful and remain a common problem in the treatment of Bell’s palsy.

According to Eureka Alert:

Adding an antiviral agent to corticosteroids for treatment of Bell’s palsy (a condition characterized by partial facial paralysis) is not associated with improved recovery of facial movement function, according to a meta-analysis of previously published studies in the June issue of Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

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