1 The Children's Hospital and University Children's Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland.
Seven-hundred thirteen cases of poliomyelitis with spinal paralysis, encephalitic or bulbar symptoms are reviewed. The mortality rate in bulbar cases was four times that in spinal cases, whereas early recovery after bulbar symptoms was twice that of spinal paralysis.
A follow-up study of 59 patients with 69 palsies from cranial nerve injury performed 2 to 18 years after the acute stage showed that 39 patients with 48 palsies were cured; 18 patients had together 19 palsies of minor degree. Two patients, one with involvement of the sixth and one with involvement of the seventh cranial nerve had more severe sequelae. None of the palsies affected the life of the patients.
Thus if patients with cranial nerve involvement stay alive the late prognosis is much better; the majority of the palsies disappear, the remaining ones have no crippling effect for the patient.
Submitted on February 1, 1952