No sponsor or advertiser has participated in, approved or paid for the content provided by Decision Support in Medicine LLC. While not usually necessary, atypical presentations may warrant imaging. If symptoms do not improve, referral to a neurologist is appropriate in order to consider other potential diagnoses. Prognosis of Bells Palsy (Idiopathic Facial Paralysis) The outcome of Bell’s palsy varies. The most common study ordered would be a magnetic resonance image (MRI) to evaluate for evidence of malignancy (cerebellopontine angle tumors, facial nerve schwannoma, etc. Swelling and inflammation of the cranial nerve VII is seen in individuals with Bell’s palsy.Most scientists believe that reactivation of an existing (dormant) viral infection may cause the disorder. Corticosteroids are widely used in the treatment of idiopathic facial paralysis (Bell's palsy), but the effectiveness of additional treatment with an antiviral agent is uncertain.

[1] The majority of patients have a complete recovery. Answer. Copyright © 2017, 2013 Decision Support in Medicine, LLC. It results from dysfunction of cranial nerve VII (facial nerve) which directs the muscles on one side of the face, including those that control eye blinking and closing and facial expressions such as smiling.
People with Bell's palsy generally recover but there is a small group who do not. Individuals may also have facial pain or abnormal sensation, altered taste, and intolerance to loud noise. : CD007468. Much of the examination occurs as one takes a history from the patient. Generally, Bell's palsy affects only one side of the face; however, in rare cases, it can affect both sides.

The facial nerve also carries nerve impulses to the tear glands, the saliva glands, and the muscles of a small bone in the middle of the ear. There is no specific laboratory test to confirm diagnosis of the disorder.Generally, a physician will examine the individual for upper and lower facial weakness. Idiopathic facial paralysis (IFP) or Bell's palsy is a frequent neuropathy. Follow-up with the patient’s primary care physician is appropriate.

A small number of cases result in a permanent facial weakness. Close more info about Bell's palsy (idiopathic facial paralysis) Patients should be aware of the long-term sequelae of dry eyes, including corneal damage and blindness. Analgesics such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen may relieve pain. Corticosteroid of choice is usually prednisolone with a dosage of 1 mg/kg and the median dose is 60 mg. The first is a careful history, paying attention to the nature of onset, which is typically rapid and painless. [] The majority of patients have a complete recovery. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Likewise, a general physical examination may disclose evidence of systemic disease manifesting in an unusual way as facial nerve palsy. Patients may develop synkinesis, or misdirection of the repairing facial nerve fibers. Most often, Bell's Palsy resolves on its own. In some mild cases where recovery is rapid, there is damage only to the myelin sheath (the fatty covering that acts as insulation of nerve fibers).Several other conditions can also cause facial paralysis, for example, brain tumor, stroke, Bell’s palsy affects about 40,000 people in the United States every year. The patient wakes up in morning and notices in the mirror signs of facial nerve paralysis. A thorough neurological exam follows looking for evidence of other cranial nerve involvement or clues to alternate diagnoses. Lubricating eye drops, such as artificial tears or eye ointments or gels, and eye patches are also effective.Other therapies such as physical therapy, facial massage, or acupuncture may provide a potential small improvement in facial nerve function and pain.In general, decompression surgery for Bell's palsy—to relieve pressure on the nerve—is controversial. Patients are not typically placed for this disease. Art. Diagnostic imaging using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computed tomography (CT) scan can rule out other structural causes of pressure on the facial nerve (such as an artery compressing the nerve) and also check the other nerves.For individuals with new-onset Bell’s palsy, steroids are highly likely to be effective and can increase the probability of recovery of facial nerve function. Bell’s palsy is thought to be responsible for up to three-fourths of cases of acute unilateral facial paralysis worldwide. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007468.pub3We use cookies to improve your experience on our site.
No change in standard management, beyond the potential use of short-term steroids. Bell's palsy is an idiopathic, acute peripheral-nerve palsy involving the facial nerve, which supplies all the muscles of facial expression. But in many cases, high dose corticosteroid therapy has also been practiced and has shown good results at a dosage of 2 mg per kg or 120 mg.The treatment of Bell’s palsy also consisted of antiviral drugs such as acyclovir, valganciclovir, etc. Please login or register first to view this content.Our mission is to provide practice-focused clinical and drug information that is reflective of current and emerging principles of care that will help to inform oncology decisions.Copyright © 2020 Haymarket Media, Inc. All Rights ReservedRegister now at no charge to access unlimited clinical news, full-length features, case studies, conference coverage, and more.Please login or register first to view this content.