title: Stellate ganglion block promotes recovery of Bell's palsy in patients with diabetes mellitus.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is effective for treatment of Bell's palsy in patients with diabetes mellitus.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Corticosteroids are widely used for treatment of Bell's palsy in patients with diabetes mellitus but may induce complications like hyperglycemia, which calls for an alternative therapy. This study aimed to ascertain the effect of SGB on Bell's palsy in patients with diabetes mellitus.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized and single-blinded clinical trial involved 96 diabetic patients with Bell's palsy that were randomly divided into a control group (n = 48) and a treatment group (SGB group, n = 48). The House-Brackmann scale and facial disability index (FDI, including FDIP and FDIS) were observed before treatment and at 1 and 3 months after treatment for assessment of the outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups before treatment as regards the House-Brackmann scale and FDI. There was a statistically significant difference in FDIP score in the two groups after treatment in comparison with before treatment. The FDIS score showed a statistical difference between the two groups after treatment.
authors.affiliation: Eighth Department, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University , Chongqing.
authors.forename: Guo-Dong
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chun-Jing
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001340:Autonomic Nerve Block; D020330:Bell Palsy / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013233:Stellate Ganglion; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: FDI; House-Brackmann scale; facial disability index