Herpes zoster oticus treated with acyclovir and prednisolone: clinical manifestations and analysis of prognostic factors

Herpes zoster oticus is a cranial polyneuropathy with facial nerve involvem ent as its main feature. The prognosis of the facial palsy is usually poor. Thirty patients with herpes zoster oticus suffering from facial palsy were admitted for parenteral acyclovir and oral prednisolone. Multiple regressi on analysis of improvement of facial palsy showed three significant covaria tes: age, multiple nerve palsies, and the initial grading of the palsy. The recovery of the facial palsy treated with acyclovir and prednisolone was g ood, and possibility of a good outcome was greater when the initial grade o f the palsy was higher. Multiple nerve palsies and age had negative effects on the improvement.