Quantitative Sensory Testing in Patients with Bell's Palsy

Aim of the Study: Patients with facial palsy often report sensory symptoms over the paretic part of the face. To test for the presence of sensory disturbances we applied a battery of sensory tests according to the Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) protocol of the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain (GRNP) over ipsi- and contralateral parts of the face. Methods Sixteen patients with idiopathic facial palsy and 32 controls were studied. All patients were investigated within 3 days after onset of symptoms. Seven tests were performed determining 13 variables over ipsi- and contralateral cheeks and forehead…