Bell’s Palsy
Key Points
Key Points
- Bell’s palsy is the most common cause of acute facial nerve paresis/paralysis, and the most common acute mononeuropathy.
- Patients may have impaired eye closure which may lead to eye injury.
- Not all patients with facial paresis/paralysis have Bell’s palsy. Alternative underlying etiologies must be considered.
Figure 1. Bell's Palsy
Diagnosis
...iagnosi...
...ating a patient with facial paresis/paralysis for...
Table 1. Abbreviations and Definitions of Common Terms
...1. Abbreviations and Definitions of Common Te...
Table 2. House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading System
...e-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading Sys...
Table 3. Etiologies and Clinical Features of Facial Paralysis
...3. Etiologies and Clinical Features o...
Treatment
Treatmen...
...Summary of Guideline Action State...
...gnostics...
...story and physical examinationClinicians s...
...y testingClinicians should NOT obtain rou...
...ic imagingClinicians should NOT routinel...
...ectrodiagnostic Tes...
...incomplete paresis/paralysisClinicians should NO...
...ith complete paresis/paralysisClinicians may offer...
...eatmen...
Steroi...
...ral steroid useClinicians should prescribe oral st...
...ntiviral The...
...otherapyClinicians should NOT pres...
...ationClinicians may offer oral antivira...
Othe...
...areClinicians should implement eye prot...
...decompressionNo recommendation can be made...
...recommendation can be made regarding...
...yNo recommendation can be made regarding th...
...Follow-upClinicians should reassess or refer to...
Figure 2. Bell’s Palsy Management Algorithm
...e 2. Bell’s Palsy Management Algor...