title: Herpes zoster oticus treated with acyclovir and prednisolone: clinical manifestations and analysis of prognostic factors.
abstract: Herpes zoster oticus is a cranial polyneuropathy with facial nerve involvement as its main feature. The prognosis of the facial palsy is usually poor. Thirty patients with herpes zoster oticus suffering from facial palsy were admitted for parenteral acyclovir and oral prednisolone. Multiple regression analysis of improvement of facial palsy showed three significant covariates: age, multiple nerve palsies, and the initial grading of the palsy. The recovery of the facial palsy treated with acyclovir and prednisolone was good, and possibility of a good outcome was greater when the initial grade of the palsy was higher. Multiple nerve palsies and age had negative effects on the improvement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. kjycln@ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Sheen
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hsu
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016697:Herpes Zoster Oticus / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis; D051381:Rats; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D011239:Prednisolone; D000212:Acyclovir