The neurophysiological investigation of Bell's palsy and the predictive value of the blink reflex.

Forty-nine patients with Bell's palsy were studied neurophysiologically within 10 days of the onset of symptoms and the results analysed according to the clinical outcome. Electroneuronography was not helpful in predicting outcome at this stage. The presence of a blink reflex was a good prognostic sign and all patients with an intact blink reflex recovered well.