NCT06955455

Ultrasound-Guided Corticosteroid and Bupivacaine for Facial Nerve Function and Thickness in Bell's Palsy

Effectiveness of Ultrasound-Guided Corticosteroid and Bupivacaine Injections on Facial Nerve Function and Thickness in Acute Bell's Palsy: A Preliminary Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (actual)
• Sponsor: Tishreen University Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 70 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

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.

Conditions

• Bell's Palsy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Triamcinolone and Bupivacaine Injection	A single injection consisting of 1 cc of 0.25% bupivacaine mixed with 2 cc (20 mg) of triamcinolone (40 mg/mL) is administered under ultrasound guidance. The injection targets the extratemporal portion of the facial nerve approximately 1.5-2 cm distal to the stylomastoid foramen in an inferior and anterior direction. The intervention is designed to reduce inflammation and pain, potentially accelerating facial nerve recovery in acute Bell's palsy.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-01-01
• Primary completion: 2024-10-01
• Completion: 2025-02-01
• First posted: 2025-05-02
• Last updated: 2025-05-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Syria