Evaluation of patients presenting to the emergency department with peripheral facial nerve paralysis

Introduction and Aim: Facial nerve paralysis; It can be seen due to many different reasons, including genetic factors, infections, inflammations, traumatic and idiopathic. The most common cause among these is the paralysis known as "idiopathic" or "Bell's palsy". Patients with facial nerve palsy are usually diagnosed in emergency departments. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the demographic characteristics and treatment results of patients with facial nerve palsy who applied to the emergency department. Materials and Method: In this study; 498 peripheral facial paralysis patients admitted to Akdeniz University Hospital Emergency Service between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2019 were retrospectively evaluated using the hospital information management system. SPSS program were used in the analysis of the data obtained. Findings: Of the 498 patients included in our study, 286 (57.4%) were men and 212 (42.6%) were women. It was concluded that the mean age of the patients was 43.44± .747. It was found that the mean age of the patients was 43.44±,747, and the mean admission time was 46.99±4,646 hours. Of the patients, 98 (19.7%) had hypertension, 94 (18.9%) had diabetes, and 3 (0.6%) patients had undergone organ transplantation. 63 patients (12.7%) had a previous episode of PFP. PFP was diagnosed with otitis externa in 16 (3.2%) patients, otitis media in 10 (2%) patients, trauma in 7 (1.4%) patients, pregnancy and herpes zoster in 6 (1.2%) patients. Herpes zoster oticus was found to accompany 4 (0.8%) patients. According to the HB staging system, 5 (1%) patients Grade 1, 69 (13.9%) patients Grade 2, 69 (13.9%) patients Grade 3, 62 (12.4%) patients Grade 4, 30 patients (6%) Grade 5 and 4 (0.8%) patients were found to be Grade 6. Possible etiology was tried to be clarified by imaging with CT in 98 (19.7%) patients and with MRI in 119 (23.9%) patients. 465 (93.4%) of the patients included in the study were prescribed steroids, 384 (77.1%) antivirals were prescribed, and 2 (0.4%) patients underwent surgical intervention. 54 (10.8%) of the patients were hospitalized, and 444 (89.2%) patients were discharged from the emergency department. It was found that 110 (22.1%) of the patients had complete recovery, 22 (4.4%) had almost complete recovery, 7 (1.4%) had little improvement, and 1 (0.2%) had no improvement. Conclusion: Since emergency services are the first application areas for patients with peripheral facial paralysis, it is within the responsibility of emergency medicine physicians to increase the quality of care, treatment and recovery rates of the patients who apply, and to follow up-to-date treatment practices. Key Words: Peripheral Facial Paralysis, Emergency Service, Epidemiology