抄録
The advantage of combination therapy using prednisolone and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) was evaluated in 35 patients with Bell's palsy. Complete recovery was achieved in all 15 patients treated with prednisolone-PGE1. Conversely, complete recovery was achieved in 17 patients out of 20 treated with prednisolone alone. The cumulative cure rate at 4 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months after onset of facial palsy was consistently higher in the prednisolone-PGE1 group than in the prednisolone alone group. Progression of facial palsy after onset was also slower and milder in prednisolonePGE1 group than that of in the prednisolone alone group. These results suggest that administration of PGE1 prevents Waller's degeneration of the facial nerve by increasing blood flow to the nerve, and consequently improving the outcome in cases of Bell's facial palsy. PGE1 was thought to be potentially beneficial for patients in whom the use of steroids is restricted due to underlying diseases such as diabetes mellitus, peptic ulcer, osteoporosis or infection.
