Recurrent facial palsy.

During a 9-year period a total of 447 peripheral facial palsies was seen. Of the 377 cases of acute idiopathic facial palsy (AIFP) for which information was available, 41 (10.9%) were recurrent attacks. The final outcome is known for 346 (92%) of AIFPs. All patients were subjected to an extensive investigation protocol. No prognostic differences were found between primary and recurrent attacks of AIFP and complete recovery occurred just as frequently after recurrent palsies irrespective of whether these were ipsilateral or contralateral to the first attack. The incidence of recurrent AIFP was 2.03/100,000/year.