Bell’s Palsy
Publication Date: November 3, 2013
Last Updated: September 2, 2022
Diagnosis
When evaluating a patient with facial paresis/paralysis for Bell’s palsy, the following should be considered:
- Bell’s palsy is rapid in onset (<72 hours).
- Bell’s palsy is diagnosed when no other medical etiology is identified as a cause of the facial paresis/paralysis.
- Bilateral Bell’s palsy is rare.
- Currently, no cause for Bell’s palsy has been identified.
- Other conditions may cause facial paresis/paralysis, including stroke, brain tumors, tumors of the parotid gland or infratemporal fossa, cancer involving the facial nerve, and systemic and infectious diseases, including varicella zoster, sarcoidosis, and Lyme disease.
- Bell’s palsy is typically self-limited. Most patients with Bell’s palsy show some recovery without intervention within 2-3 weeks after onset of symptoms and completely recover within 3-4 months.
- Bell’s palsy may occur in men, women, and children but is more common in persons 15-45 years old; individuals with diabetes, upper respiratory ailments, or compromised immune systems; and during pregnancy.
Treatment
Table 4. Summary of Guideline Action Statements
Diagnostics
Patient history and physical examination
Clinicians should assess the patient using history and physical examination to exclude identifiable causes of facial paresis/paralysis in patients presenting with acute-onset unilateral facial paresis/paralysis. ( C , S )
570
Laboratory testing
Clinicians should NOT obtain routine laboratory testing in patients with new-onset Bell’s palsy. ( C , R )
570
Diagnostic imaging
Clinicians should NOT routinely perform diagnostic imaging for patients with new-onset Bell’s palsy. ( C , R )
570
Electrodiagnostic Testing
With incomplete paresis/paralysis
Clinicians should NOT perform electrodiagnostic testing in Bell’s palsy patients with incomplete facial paresis/paralysis. ( C , S )
570
With complete paresis/paralysis
Clinicians may offer electrodiagnostic testing to Bell’s palsy patients with complete facial paresis/paralysis. ( C , O )
570
Treatment
Steroids
Oral steroid use
Clinicians should prescribe oral steroids within 72 h of symptom onset for Bell’s palsy patients 16 y and older. ( A , S )
570
Antiviral Therapy
Monotherapy
Clinicians should NOT prescribe oral antiviral therapy alone for patients with new-onset Bell’s palsy. ( A , S )
570
Combination
Clinicians may offer oral antiviral therapy in addition to oral steroids within 72 h of symptom onset for patients with Bell’s palsy. ( B , O )
570
Other
Eye care
Clinicians should implement eye protection for Bell’s palsy patients with impaired eye closure. ( X , S )
570
Surgical decompression
No recommendation can be made regarding surgical decompression for Bell’s palsy patients. ( D , N)
570
Acupuncture
No recommendation can be made regarding the effect of acupuncture in Bell’s palsy patients. ( B , N)
570
Physical therapy
No recommendation can be made regarding the effect of physical therapy in Bell’s palsy patients. ( C , N)
570
Patient Follow-up
Clinicians should reassess or refer to a facial nerve specialist those Bell’s palsy patients with (1) new or worsening neurologic findings at any point, (2) ocular symptoms developing at any point, or (3) incomplete facial recovery 3 mo after initial symptom onset. ( C , R )
570
Overview
Title
Bell’s Palsy
Authoring Organization
American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation