Characteristics and outcome of facial nerve palsy from Lyme neuroborreliosis in the United States

Abstract

Objectives: Facial palsy is the most common manifestation of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) in the United States. This study aimed to describe features of patients with early LNB presenting with facial palsy and to determine if corticosteroids in addition to antibiotic therapy was associated with unfavorable outcome.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of participants enrolled in clinical studies investigating Lyme disease (N = 486) identified 44 patients who had facial palsy from LNB. The House-Brackmann scale was used to quantify the facial nerve dysfunction.

Results: Most patients presented in the summer months. Erythema migrans, frequently associated with systemic symptoms, occurred in 29 patients. Thirteen patients presented with bilateral facial palsy, usually with sequential involvement. Fourteen patients had painful radiculopathy. Of the 38 patients treated with antibiotics before the resolution of the palsy who had complete follow-up, 24 received both antibiotics and corticosteroids. Of these 38 patients, 34 recovered completely, 3 had nearly complete recovery, and 1 had moderate dysfunction. There were no differences between the treatment groups in achieving complete resolution of the palsy at 12 months or in time to complete recovery.

Interpretation: A history of rash compatible with erythema migrans or febrile illness in the weeks preceding the palsy are helpful clues pointing toward LNB and should be actively sought when evaluating patients with acute-onset peripheral facial palsy, particularly bilateral facial palsy. Treatment with antibiotic therapy is highly effective and most patients will fully recover facial nerve function. Adjunctive corticosteroid therapy appears to not affect the speed of recovery or overall outcome in this retrospective observational study.

Figure 1

Months of onset of illness and facial palsy from Lyme disease.

Figure 2

Time to recovery of facial palsy from Lyme neuroborreliosis by treatment group. (A) Time to recovery from start of facial palsy. (B) Time to recovery from start of antibiotic therapy. Patients with House–Brackmann scores of 1 were considered recovered. Participants who did not fully recovered (House−Brackmann score of 2 and 3) were censored at 12 months. Analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model showed no differences between the two groups.

Figure 3

Time to recovery of patients with unilateral and bilateral facial palsy from Lyme neuroborreliosis. Time to recovery is shown from the start of facial palsy. Patients with House–Brackmann scores of 1 were considered recovered. Participants who did not fully recovered (House–Brackmann score of 2 and 3) were censored at 12 months. Analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model showed no differences between the two groups.