Clinical features and management of facial nerve paralysis in children: analysis of 24 cases.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the causes, treatment modalities and recovery rate of paediatric facial nerve paralysis.


METHODS
We analysed 24 cases of paediatric facial nerve paralysis diagnosed in the otolaryngology department of Gachon University Gil Medical Center between January 2001 and June 2006.


RESULTS
The most common cause was idiopathic palsy (16 cases, 66.7 per cent). The most common degree of facial nerve paralysis on first presentation was House-Brackmann grade IV (15 of 24 cases). All cases were treated with steroids. One of the 24 cases was also treated surgically with facial nerve decompression. Twenty-two cases (91.6 per cent) recovered to House-Brackmann grade I or II over the six-month follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
Facial nerve paralysis in children can generally be successfully treated with conservative measures. However, in cases associated with trauma, radiological investigation is required for further evaluation and treatment.
Cha
H E
HE
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, South Korea.
Baek
M K
MK
Yoon
J H
JH
Yoon
B K
BK
Kim
M J
MJ
Lee
J H
JH
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D020330:Bell Palsy / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications; D016697:Herpes Zoster Oticus / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000293:injuries
D013256:Steroids