A comparison of steroids and antivirals in management of cases of bell’s palsy

Background: Bell’s palsy is an abrupt onset of unilateral weakness or paralysis of the face due to acute peripheral facial nerve dysfunction. The present study compared steroids and antivirals in management of cases of bell’s palsy. Materials & Methods:56 patients of bell’s palsy of both genders were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group I (28) were treated with antiviral acyclovir alone (800 mg/day for 5 days) and group II (28) with prednisolone 60 mg/day for a week then tapered over10 days. Results: Left side was involved in 13 and 12 and right side in 15 and 16 in group I and II respectively, duration of onset was 4.5 days and 3.7 days respectively. Latency was 9.24 and 9.42 at baseline and 9.83 and 9.54 after 6 months, amplitude (mV) at baseline was 1.72 and 1.73 and after 6 months was 1.96 and 1.81, velocity (m/s) at baseline was 29.1 and 30.5 and after 6 months was 43.2 and 39.6, area (mVms) at baseline was 3.65 and 3.52 and after 6 months was 4.06 and 3.75 in group I and II respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Steroid found to be effective in management of cases of bell’s palsy as compared to acyclovir.