Pain perception during electrodiagnostic studies and the impact of learners.

Introduction/aims: Electrodiagnostic testing (EDX) may be perceived as painful, which may influence patient expectations and test completion. Our aim was to characterize which component of the EDX was more painful, and to determine if any factors, particularly performance by a learner, influenced this perception.

Methods: Participants were prospectively recruited and completed a brief questionnaire to rate their perception of pain before and after each component of the EDX.

Annualized incidence and spectrum of illness from an outbreak investigation of Bell's palsy.

Background: There are limited clinical and epidemiological data on patients diagnosed with Bell's palsy. While investigating an apparent clustering of Bell's palsy, we sought to characterize the spectrum of illness in patients with this diagnosis.

Methods: A telephone survey of persons with idiopathic facial (Bell's) palsy in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA, population = 4.

The spectrum of electrophysiological abnormalities in Bell's palsy.

Background: As part of an investigation of a suspected "outbreak" of Bell's palsy in the Greater Toronto Area, a population-based sample of patients with Bell's palsy was investigated electrophysiologically to help understand the spectrum of abnormalities that can be seen in this setting.

Methods: Two hundred and twenty-four patients were surveyed, of whom 91 underwent formal neurological assessment. Of the latter, 44 were studied electrophysiologically using standard techniques.