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Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the frequency and characteristics of a rare variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), isolated bilateral facial paralysis (iBFP), and the impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic on the frequency of GBS and iBFP. Patients and methods: This retrospective study reviewed 1,986 patients who were hospitalized, followed up, and treated between March 11, 2020, and August 11, 2023, and included 32 patients (22 males, 10 females; mean age: 51.6±19.3 years; range, 18 to 87 years) diagnosed with GBS in the analyses. Additionally, information was obtained from hospital records regarding admission dates, length of stay, age, sex, and diagnoses of patients admitted between January 1, 2019, and March 11, 2020, and five patients diagnosed with GBP were identified during this period. Results: Eleven patients presented with facial paralysis, and iBFP was observed in five (15.6%) of them (4 males, 1 female). In iBFP patients, albuminocytological dissociation was detected in three cases, and the anti-GD1b IgG antibody was detected in one case. Electromyography findings of iBFP patients showed bilateral facial nerve involvement in only two cases, bilateral facial nerve involvement along with multiple A waves in other peripheral motor nerves in two cases, and facial nerve involvement along with AIDP findings in one case. The incidence of GBS was notably higher compared to the 15-month period before the COVID-19 pandemic (0.29% vs. 1.6%). Conclusion: The frequency of iBFP was found to be higher than expected in our inpatient GBS patient group. It was noted that these patients were not associated with a specific anti-ganglioside antibody and had a good prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the normal values of the newly described distal stimulated medial femoral cutaneous (MFC) nerve conduction study in a healthy population using a wide range of ages and body mass index (BMI) values. Materials and Methods: Distal stimulated MFC nerve conduction studies were performed bilaterally in 144 healthy volunteers with no peripheral nerve diseases affecting the lower extremities according to clinical and electrophysiological evaluations. The volunteers were divided into three groups according to their age: 18-39.9 years (age 1), 40-59.9 years (age 2), and 60 years and above (age 3). They were also grouped according to their BMI: 24.9 or less (BMI 1), 25-29.9 (BMI 2), and 30 or more (BMI 3). Results: The mean MFC amplitude was 5.7 pV on both sides, the mean peak latency was 2.8 ms on both sides, and the mean conduction velocity was 61.5 m/s on the right and 61.9 m/s on the left. The MFC amplitudes obtained on the right and left sides were similar, and the mean amplitude difference between sides was 10.1 ± 9.1% (0-56.6). A negative correlation was identified between MFC amplitude and age and BMI. Conclusion: This study revealed that the newly described distal stimulated MFC sensory nerve conduction study is repeatable and easily applicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: Local injection of botulinum toxin is a highly effective treatment option for a wide range of movement disorders. There are reliable sources of information on its indications, effects and safety in clinical practice. In this study, we report our experience with botulinum toxin in the treatment of facial region disorders. Material and Method: Patients followed up at the Botulinum Toxin Outpatient Clinic of the Department of Neurology were retrospectively evaluated. Two preparations of botulinum toxin type A (BT-A) were used. The efficacy of BT-A injections was rated based on the improvement in symptoms and judged as follows; marked: 75-100%, good: 50-74%, moderate: 25-49%, and insufficient: symptom relief below 25%. Results: One hundred and eighty-two patients (73 male, 109 female) with various facial region disorders were included in the study. Improvement in symptoms was marked and good in subjects treated for blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm, facial synkinesis, and Meige syndrome, and moderate for oromandibular dystonia and hypersalivation. Ptosis was the most common side effect. Discussion: Based on our results, botulinum toxin is a very effective treatment for blepharospasm, Meige syndrome, hemifacial spasm and facial synkinesis. Moderate efficacy was observed in oromandibular dystonia and hypersalivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]