PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF THE ORBICULARIS OCULI REFLEX (OOR) IN BELLS-PALSY

The orbicularis oculi reflex (OOR) can be implemented as a functional test of the facial nerve. We examined correlations between the early R 1 component and prognosis in Bell's palsy in 42 patients within 14 day s of onset of paresis and after at least 6 months. Findings were grade d according to a clinical score and a subjective self-assessment scale . In the case of normal R1 components, all patients achieved excellent results in the clinical score as well as on self-assessment. In cases with pathological latencies, 95% of the patients attained excellent r esults in the paresis index, and 80% in the defect index. On self-asse ssment, 85% reached the same favourable results. Patients with loss of Rf response still showed 88.9% favourable results in the paresis inde x and 61.1 % in the defect index as well as 88.9% on self-assessment. Normal R1 responses of the OOR indicate excellent prognosis at a time when electroneurographic alterations may not yet be detectable.