title: Single dose intravenous methyl prednisolone versus oral prednisolone in Bell's palsy: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Corticosteroids have been used in the treatment of Bell's palsy and several other postinfectious neurological conditions. We hypothesized that administration of a single dose of intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone might be an effective alternative to oral prednisolone.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this open label, randomized trial, patients with acute Bell's palsy were randomized into two groups. One group received single dose (500 mg) of IV methylprednisolone while the other group received 10 days of oral prednisone. Outcome was assessed at 1 and 3 months with House-Brackmann scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 3 months, 93 (79.48%) patients had completely recovered. IV methylprednisolone and oral prednisolone groups had similar recovery rates (80% vs. 78.33%, P > 0.05). Patients with Grade 2 and 3 recovered completely. In patients with Grade 6, the recovery rate was 20%. A better outcome was observed if corticosteroids were administered within 3 days of onset of palsy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravenous methylprednisolone and oral prednisolone showed equivalent benefit in patients with acute Bell's palsy.
authors: Department of Neurology, King George Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors: Prithvi
authors: P
authors: Giri
authors: Department of Neurology, King George Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors: Ravindra Kumar
authors: RK
authors: Garg
authors: Department of Neurology, King George Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors: Maneesh Kumar
authors: MK
authors: Singh
authors: Department of Neurology, King George Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors: Rajesh
authors: R
authors: Verma
authors: Department of Neurology, King George Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors: Hardeep Singh
authors: HS
authors: Malhotra
authors: Department of Neurology, King George Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors: Praveen Kumar
authors: PK
authors: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D020330:Bell Palsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011241:Prednisone; D008775:Methylprednisolone
keywords: Corticosteroids; facial nerve; methylprednisolone