Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine- Department of Neuropsychiatry

Introduction: Bell{u2019}s palsy is the most common cause of paralysis of the facial nerve occurring worldwide. Prognosis for Bell{u2019}s palsy(BP) is good in 80-90 %, but the proportion of patients with poor outcomes may reach 30%. Ultrasound (US) provided a new approach for evaluating Bell{u2019}s palsy, in comparison with known electro- physiological techniques. Methods: This study was conducted on 20 cases of BP treated with prednisolone and physiotherapy. We examined the participants clinically according to the house brackmann (HB) scale, measured the diameter of the distal facial (VII) nerve using the US, studied the blink re{uFB02}ex (BR) and nerve conduction (NCS) in the affected side and healthy side which serve as a control, electromyography (EMG) was done once at the follow up. Study was prospective and performed within the first 2 weeks of disease onset and follow up after one month from onset. Results: Our results have shown that there werea correlations between the clinical HB outcomes with the onset HB, onset US at {u2264} 0.11 cm diameter of midway segment, follow up US, and follow up % of degeneration (p value > 0.05). No correlations between HB and other assessment modality at onset, no correlation between follow up HB with NCS or BR. Positive correlation between US with blink reflex both at the onset and follow, and with % of degenerationat the follow up (p value > 0.05). No correlation between US and NCSat the onset and follow up, no correlation between US and % of degeneration at the onset. There were significant difference between diseased and healthy side, anda significant difference betweenthe affected side at the onset and follow up

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