Effects of administration of high dose steroids for complete idiopathic facial nerve palsy: propriety of a second course of steroid therapy

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the existence of any relationship between the initial or total prednisolone dose and the degree of facial nerve recovery in patients with complete idiopathic facial nerve palsy (Bell's palsy). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out on 102 patients with unilateral complete Bell's palsy of no more than 14 days duration. The patients were divided into four study groups: one receiving a single tapering course of steroids after an initial hydrocortisone (HC) dose of 600 mg, one receiving a second tapering course of steroids after an initial HC dose of 600 mg, one receiving a single tapering course of steroids after an initial HC dose of 1200 mg, and one receiving a second tapering course of steroids after an initial HC dose of 1200 mg. The following variables were analyzed among the groups: the cure rate, the average time needed to achieve maximum recovery, and the rate of side effects. RESULTS: The total cure rate of the patients was 77%. No significant differences were detected among the groups in terms of the cure rate, average time to achieve maximum recovery, or the side effects rate (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: High-dose steroid therapy was considered to be somewhat effective in curing complete Bell's palsy. However, there were no correlations between the initial or total steroid dose and the prognosis if a prednisolone equivalent dose of more than 150 mg initially, or a total dose of more than 880 mg was used. These findings show no significant benefits of treating complete Bell's palsy with a second course of steroids.