Clinical experiences with recurrences of Bell's palsy.

In a retrospective study of 2568 patients with peripheral facial palsies seen during a 10-year period, 106 (8.2%) of 1293 patients (50.4%) with Bell's palsy suffered a recurrence. A recurrence at the same side of the face was called a "recurrent" one, but was considered to be an "alternating" one at the other side. Ninety-eight patients (52 men, 46 women) were studied for this report. Of these patients, 70% suffered from a second attack of Bell's palsy within 10 years of the first attack. Fourteen patients had more than one recurrence. Of some note, 33 of the 98 patients had their second palsy in the last months of the year. Recovery of facial function after a recurrent palsy was worse in 39.6% and was 32.1% after an alternating palsy. The recovery after multiple palsies appears to be worse than after a single palsy.