Ultrasound-Guided Corticosteroid and Bupivacaine for Facial Nerve Function and Thickness in Bell's Palsy
- Conditions
- Bell's Palsy
- Interventions
- Drug: Triamcinolone and Bupivacaine Injection
- Registration Number
- NCT06955455
- Lead Sponsor
- Tishreen University Hospital
- Brief Summary
This prospective, single-arm clinical study aims to evaluate the effects of a one-time, ultrasound-guided injection of corticosteroid (triamcinolone) combined with local anesthetic (bupivacaine) into the facial nerve in patients with acute Bell's palsy. The injection is administered approximately 1.5-2 cm after the nerve exits the stylomastoid foramen, with precise targeting using ultrasound imaging.
A total of 40 adult participants diagnosed within 72 hours of symptom onset will be enrolled. The primary outcome is improvement in facial nerve function, assessed using the House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading System at day 7, day 15, and 3 months post-injection. Secondary outcomes include changes in facial nerve thickness measured by ultrasound before and one week after the procedure.
This is the first clinical trial to directly evaluate targeted facial nerve injection as a potential treatment approach in Bell's palsy.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 40
Not provided
History of chronic facial nerve disorders
Known allergies to corticosteroids or local anesthetics
Coagulopathy or current use of anticoagulant therapy
MRI or CT findings indicating alternative causes of facial nerve palsy (e.g., tumor, stroke, MS)
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Participation in another interventional clinical trial
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- SINGLE_GROUP
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Ultrasound-Guided Corticosteroid and Bupivacaine Injection Triamcinolone and Bupivacaine Injection Participants in this arm will receive a single, ultrasound-guided injection of 1 cc of 0.25% bupivacaine combined with 2 cc (20 mg) of triamcinolone (40 mg/mL). The injection is administered directly to the facial nerve (7th cranial nerve) approximately 1.5-2 cm distal to the stylomastoid foramen, in an inferior-anterior direction, under real-time ultrasound guidance. The goal is to reduce inflammation and accelerate recovery in patients with acute Bell's palsy.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Improvement in facial nerve function using the House-Brackmann grading scale 7 day, 15 days, and 3 months post-injection Facial nerve function will be assessed using the House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading System, a standardized clinical scale for measuring the severity of facial paralysis. Participants will be evaluated at three time points: 7 day, 15 days, and 3 months after injection. A reduction in grade indicates improvement in nerve function. This outcome will determine whether ultrasound-guided corticosteroid and bupivacaine injection accelerates recovery in acute Bell's palsy.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Tishreen University Hospital
🇸🇾Latakia, Syrian Arab Republic
Tishreen University Hospital🇸🇾Latakia, Syrian Arab Republic