The Therapeutic Effect of Stellate Ganglion Block on Facial Nerve Palsy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The conventional systemic corticosteroid treatment for acute peripheral facial nerve palsy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus can induce hyperglycemia, and an alternative local therapy may be necessary. Our purpose in this study is to evaluate therapeutic effects of stellate ganglion block (SGB) on facial nerve palsy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS: A total of 361 cases of acute peripheral, chronic peripheral, acute central and chronic central facial nerve palsy treated with SGB or conventional therapy were included in this retrospective study. The facial nerve function score (Sunnybrook Facial Grading System) obtained at before and after treatment in non-SGB and SGB groups was used to assess the outcome. Furthermore, the blood glucose level in acute peripheral facial nerve palsy was measured.

RESULTS: The facial nerve function score in the SGB group was higher than that in the non-SGB group after treatment in peripheral facial nerve palsy, while the blood glucose level in the non-SGB group increased and was higher than that in the SGB group during the treatment in acute peripheral facial nerve palsy.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that SGB has better therapeutic effect than conventional treatment on acute and chronic peripheral facial nerve palsy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.