A Statistical Analysis of Peripheral Facial Palsy

A statistical analysis was performed involving 1,513 patients with facial nerve palsy treated at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shiga University Hospital between 1978 and 2007. There were 1,055 cases of Bell's palsy and 198 cases of Hunt's syndrome. In 427 cases of Bell's palsy and 96 cases of Hunt's syndrome, the outcomes of treatment were analyzed on classifying them into three groups by age: under 15, between 16 and 59, and over 60 years old. The recovery rates following treatment for Bell's palsy and Hunt's syndrome were 94.0 and 73.9%, respectively. Hunt's syndrome demonstrated a poorer prognosis than Bell's palsy, as already documented in the literature. Patients over 60 years old showed a poorer recovery compared to those under 59 years old in both Bell's palsy and Hunt's syndrome.