title: Value of the facial nerve latency test in the prognosis of childhood Bell's palsy.
abstract: In the present study we evaluated the facial nerve latency test (FNLT) as a prognostic tool in cases of childhood Bell's palsy. Twenty-five children aged 4-14 years were studied. We divided our subjects into three groups according to duration of latency time (LT). Group A patients had an LT within the normal range, with average of 3.27 ms, group B a slightly prolonged LT averaging 5.7 ms, and group C a markedly prolonged LT averaging 10.5 ms. Analysis of the recovery index by group showed that group A patients experienced complete and quick recovery, while in group B 50% had complete but delayed recovery and 50% slightly impaired facial nerve function, and in group C 50% had slightly impaired function and 50% incomplete recovery. The more prolonged the LT, the worse the clinical results. The FNLT is thus a valuable prognostic tool in cases of Bell's palsy in childhood.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, General Hospital, University of Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: V G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Danielides
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Skevas
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Panagopoulos
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kastanioudakis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004576:Electromyography; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011379:Prognosis; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*