Bell’s Palsy

The Department Of Neurology Cong Lin

George Herbert Bush

Concept

Facial weakness of the peripheral typeidiopathicoutside the central nervous system without any other cranial nerve palsies

Bell’s Palsy:

[Etiology and pathology]

the cause is unclear

exposure to chill

a viral infection

edema degeneration.

Etiology

pathology

Anatomicophysiology

[Clinical features]

Occurs at any age and any time.

unilateralThe onset is acute. attain maximum

paralysis in 48h --5 days. pain behind the ear.

Peripheral facial palsy

[Diagnosis]

based on the acute onset and the peripheral facial palsy.

distinguished from facial paralysis due to other causes

distinguished from the supranuclear one (such as in a stroke)

Prognosis

usually good. recover within a few weeks or in a month or two.

But if there is evidence of denervation after 10 days, one may expect a long delay in the onset of recovery.

Treatment

surgical decompression may be harmful.

take some corticosteroids, such as prednisone (40 to 60mg/day).

Vitamin B antiviral agents may be useful. physiatrics and acupuncture therapy a shield to protect the eye.

summary

The major features of Bell’s palsy is:

Any age, any time.UnilateralAcute Peripheral facial

palsy idiopathic

Bell’s phenomenon

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