title: Yanagihara facial nerve grading system as a prognostic tool in Bell's palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Yanagihara facial nerve grading system in assessing the course of recovery and in determining the probability of a complete recovery of Bell's palsy within 1 week after onset.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study of patients at a single trial center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six hundred sixty-four patients with Bell's palsy were assigned to three groups by degree of facial palsy using the Yanagihara 40-point system.
  
  
  METHODS
  The rate of recovered patients was assessed until 6 months after onset.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ultimately, 151 (23.1%) patients were assessed with mild palsy, 286 (43.7%) with moderate palsy, and 217 (33.2%) with severe palsy. The average Yanagihara score in the recovered patients was 15.7, whereas the score in the nonrecovered patients was 8.4. The rate of recovered patients in the mild group was 99.3%, that in the moderate group was 95.1%, and that in the severe group was 80.2%. These differences among the groups were significant (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Yanagihara system was able to distinguish the probability of a complete recovery of the facial palsy within 1 week after the onset of palsy. We believe that the key point in improving the prognosis of Bell's palsy is to diagnose the severity, using the Yanagihara system, and to treat it promptly to prevent progressive nerve degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Ehime University School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan.
authors.forename: Naohito
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hato
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
authors.forename: Kiyofumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gyo
authors.forename: Naoaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yanagihara
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020330:Bell Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult