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
...agnosis
...ating a patient with facial paresis...
Table 1. Abbreviations and Definitions of Common Terms
...ble 1. Abbreviations and Definitions...
Table 2. House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading System
...use-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading S...
Table 3. Etiologies and Clinical Features of Facial Paralysis
...ies and Clinical Features of Facial Paralysi...
Treatment
...reatme...
Table 4. Summary of Guideline Action Sta...
...agnostics...
...ient history and physical examinati...
Laboratory testingClinicians should NOT obtain r...
...ngClinicians should NOT routinely perfo...
...odiagnostic Testi...
...lete paresis/paralysisClinicians s...
...mplete paresis/paralysisClinicians may offer...
Treatm...
...eroids...
...eClinicians should prescribe oral steroids withi...
Antiviral Therap...
...onotherapyClinicians should NOT prescr...
...tionClinicians may offer oral antiviral...
...ther...
...ns should implement eye protection for Bell...
...decompressionNo recommendation can be made r...
...nctureNo recommendation can be made regarding the...
...rapyNo recommendation can be made regarding the ef...
...tient Follow-upClinicians should reassess or refer...
Figure 2. Bell’s Palsy Management Algorithm
...l’s Palsy Management Algorithm...