<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> COVID-19 is declared as a pandemic by WHO. Bell’s palsy is defined as isolated, sudden, peripheral facial paralysis of unknown etiology. Viral infections are capable of causing facial paralysis through infecting the motor neurons of brainstem, seventh nerve ganglia or through infections of supporting cells of the nerve, along with secondary inflammation and oedema, blocking the nerve function. Similarly, coronaviruses are known to have a neuroinvasive propensity.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Our study was aimed to report the increased number of cases of Bell’s palsy in the current COVID pandemic era and to hypothesize the probable role of coronavirus in the pathogenesis of Bell’s palsy. A total of 30 patients presenting with unilateral facial palsy in this COVID era were included in the study. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> This prospective analysis of Bell’s palsy cases showed 30 cases in the COVID pandemic era, where the total number of OPD patients were 3720. This shows a percentage of Bell’s palsy cases as 0.8 % when compared to 0.05% in the pre-covid time.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> This study shows that there might be an effect of COVID-19 virus on the immune status of the individuals along with stress induced reactivation of underlying viral infection.</p><p class="abstract"> </p>
<p class="abstract">Facial paralysis associated with parotid disease is usually caused by a malignant process. Facial nerve palsy due to parotid gland abscess is very rare with only about 10 previously reported cases. Parotid abscess with facial palsy may be the first presenting symptom of underlying diabetes mellitus. We report a case of a 35-year-old man, not a known case of diabetes or hypertension, who presented with a right sided parotid abscess and difficulty in mouth opening with grade 4 facial nerve palsy, who on investigation was found to have underlying uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Parotid abscess is mainly seen in elderly, diabetic and immunocompromised. Facial nerve palsy secondary to parotid abscess is a rare condition but probably underreported. Facial nerve palsy associated with parotid abscess is rare and may be one of the first presenting feature of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.</p>
<p>Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a very frightening and incapacitating event and it impairs the patient's quality of life. Steroids are considered the first line of treatment. Intratympanic dexamethasone produces a significantly higher perilymph concentration of steroids. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of multi-drug regimen in the management of SSNHL, to analyse the recovery and to assess use of intratympanic steroid injections (ITSI) as a primary treatment. This is a prospective study presenting as a case series of 5 cases of SSNHL. Our treatment included intratympanic steroids, oral steroids, antiplatelet drugs, rheological-agents and neuro vitamins. Complete recovery was seen in 2 (40%), partial recovery in 2 (40%), 1 patient was lost to follow up. In the patient with bilateral SSNHL, the ITSI was administered in the right ear only; which showed a significant improvement. SSNHL is described as a decline in hearing of 30 dB or more, on 3 or more frequencies over 3 days or less, with tinnitus and ear fullness. Early presentation and intervention within 72 hours is the ideal treatment. Since viral infections and vascular compromise are considered as probable theories for SSNHL, steroids, with anticoagulants, antiplatelet and rheological-agents are used as an effective therapy. Our study shows that a multi-drug treatment of SSNHL can be much more effective than a single drug treatment. We also conclude that using intratympanic steroid injections have a greater improvement as seen in the case of bilateral SSNHL.</p><p> </p>
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