Statistical Observations on Clinical Diagnosis in Patients with Bell's Palsy and Ramsay Hunt's Syndrome

The authors present the following criteria for the differentiation of Hunt's syndrome from Bell's palsy.A) Hunt's syndrome is characterized by manifest herpetic eruptions or by a high serum antibody titer against varicella zoster virus.B) Incomplete Hunt's syndrome is defined as evident involvement of other cranial nerves with V11 nerve palsy.C) Bell's palsy is simple facial nerve palsy of unknown etiology.From April 1977 to April 1984, 56 cases of facial nerve palsy were examined within two weeks of onset.There were 19 cases of Hunt's syndrome, 14 of incomplete Hunt's syndrome, 14 of Bell's palsy, and 9 others.The authors emphasize that equilibrium tests must be performed, even if the patient has no vertigo, in order to make a correct diagnosis.