An interventional study of Triamcinolone and Bupivacaine Injection in Bell's Palsy, sponsored by Tishreen University Hospital. Completed at 1 site in Syria. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 70 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-05-02.
Sponsored by Tishreen University Hospital · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
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.
Tishreen University Hospital is the lead sponsor of 3 studies on the registry; 1 is open to participants now.
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Age between 18 and 70 years
Diagnosis of acute Bell's palsy within the past 72 hours
House-Brackmann Grade III or higher
Willing and able to give informed consent
Able to attend all follow-up assessments
Exclusion Criteria:
History of chronic facial nerve disorders
Known allergies to corticosteroids or local anesthetics
Coagulopathy or current use of anticoagulant therapy
MRI or CT findings indicating alternative causes of facial nerve palsy (e.g., tumor, stroke, MS)
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Participation in another interventional clinical trial
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Participants in this arm will receive a single, ultrasound-guided injection of 1 cc of 0.25% bupivacaine combined with 2 cc (20 mg) of triamcinolone (40 mg/mL). The injection is administered directly to the facial nerve (7th cranial nerve) approximately 1.5-2 cm distal to the stylomastoid foramen, in an inferior-anterior direction, under real-time ultrasound guidance. The goal is to reduce inflammation and accelerate recovery in patients with acute Bell's palsy.
Drug: Triamcinolone and Bupivacaine Injection
Drug pages: Triamcinolone · Bupivacaine
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.
Also known as: Corticosteroid and local anesthetic injection
Improvement in facial nerve function using the House-Brackmann grading scale
Facial nerve function will be assessed using the House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading System, a standardized clinical scale for measuring the severity of facial paralysis. Participants will be evaluated at three time points: 7 day, 15 days, and 3 months after injection. A reduction in grade indicates improvement in nerve function. This outcome will determine whether ultrasound-guided corticosteroid and bupivacaine injection accelerates recovery in acute Bell's palsy.
Time frame: 7 day, 15 days, and 3 months post-injection
Plan to share: Undecided
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
This study is completed, as verified in Apr 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Studies of the drugs tested here: Triamcinolone · Bupivacaine
Tishreen University Hospital