Clinical features and outcomes of delayed facial palsy after head trauma

Abstract Objective To investigate clinical features and outcomes of delayed facial palsy after head trauma. Methods The cases who had delayed facial palsy after head trauma treated from March 2008 to March 2013 at our hospital were enrolled in the study, and their clinical features and outcomes were analyzed. Results Thirty-five of 1620 cases developed delayed facial palsy after head trauma. Facial palsy occurred within day 3–7 in 23 cases, during day 8–14 in 8 cases, and 2 weeks later in 4 cases. Thirty-three cases were treated by prednisolone alone, and two cases who showed ≥90% degeneration of nerve fibers underwent surgical exploration and decompression. Among the 33 cases who received conservative treatment, 27 cases (81.8%) recovered completely, 3 cases (9.1%) recovered to Grade II, and only 3 cases (9.1%) recovered to Grade III or IV. The two surgically treated patients recovered to Grade II and III, respectively. Conclusion The incidence of delayed facial palsy was 2.2% after head trauma. Delayed facial palsy mainly occurred within 2 weeks after head trauma. And over 90% patients achieved good recovery (HB Grade I or II) of facial nerve after conservative treatment.