A Case of Bell's Palsy Associated with Peginterferon Alfa-2a and Ribavirin Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection.
- Author:
Moo Yeol LEE
1
;
Hoon CHO
;
Yeong Muk KIM
;
Joon Sang LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Gastroenterolgy, Wallace Memorial Baptist Hospital, Busan, Korea. docyeolmoo@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Case Report ; English Abstract
- Keywords:
Chronic hepatitis C;
Pegylated interferon alfa-2a;
Bell palsy;
Complications
- MeSH:
Adult;
Antiviral Agents/*adverse effects;
Bell Palsy/*etiology/immunology;
Hepatitis C, Chronic/complications/*drug therapy/virology;
Humans;
Interferon Alfa-2a/*adverse effects/therapeutic use;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Polyethylene Glycols/*adverse effects/therapeutic use;
Ribavirin/administration & dosage/*adverse effects/therapeutic use;
Treatment Outcome
- From:The Korean Journal of Hepatology
2006;12(3):444-448
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin combination therapy is the first line treatment for chronic HCV infection. There are four reports of Bell's palsy associated with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and ribavirin therapy. We report here a case of Bell's palsy that occurred in a patient with chronic HCV infection during combination PEG-IFN and ribavirin therapy. The patient was 49-year-old man with chronic hepatitis C for 2 years. The liver biopsy showed grade 1 and stage 1. Therapy with PEG-IFN (Pegasys) 180 microgram/week and ribavirin 1200 mg/day was initiated. After 3 weeks of treatment, the patient showed a loss of muscular tone on the left side of his face. A diagnosis of Bell's palsy was made, and the PEG-IFN and ribavirin therapy was stopped. Prednisolone 45 mg/d was given and then tapered for 8 weeks. His palsy improved over 6 weeks.
