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Korean J Hepatol. 2006;12(3):444-448. Published online January 1, 2000.
- A Case of Bell`s Palsy Associated with Peginterferon Alfa-2a and Ribavirin Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection
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- 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-α (IFN-α) 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 μg/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. (Korean J Hepatol 2006;12:444-448)
Keywords :Chronic hepatitis C; Pegylated interferon alfa-2a; Bell palsy; Complications
