Studies on Bell´s palsy (idiopathic facial nerve paralysis)

Each year 2,000 subjects in Sweden are struck by peripheral facial palsy. Of these 75% are of unknown origin, i.e. Bell’s palsy. In 2001 we initiated a double-blind randomized multicentre study comparing prednisolone, valacyclovir, the combination of the two active drugs and placebo. The results show a beneficial effect on time to recovery and a better outcome for patients treated with prednisolone whereas no beneficial effect was found with valacyclovir. Further analyses are in progress and so far three dissertations, based on this large study, have been published.

Members of the group
Lars Jonsson
Mats Engström
Thomas Berg
Nina Bylund