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...
...en evaluating a patient with facial paresis/...
Table 1. Abbreviations and Definitions of Common Terms
...iations and Definitions of Common TermsHaving...
Table 2. House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading System
...e 2. House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading SystemH...
Table 3. Etiologies and Clinical Features of Facial Paralysis
...tiologies and Clinical Features of Facial Par...
Treatment
...reatment
...e 4. Summary of Guideline Action S...
...gnostics
...history and physical examinationClinicians...
...ory testingClinicians should NOT o...
...ngClinicians should NOT routinely perfo...
...diagnostic Testing
...paresis/paralysisClinicians should NOT perform...
...omplete paresis/paralysisClinicians may offer...
...atment
...teroids
...roid useClinicians should prescribe oral steroids...
...ntiviral Ther...
...otherapyClinicians should NOT prescribe oral...
...binationClinicians may offer oral antivi...
...ther
...areClinicians should implement eye protection f...
...ical decompressionNo recommendation...
...recommendation can be made regarding the effec...
...al therapyNo recommendation can be made...
...Follow-upClinicians should reassess or refer to...
Figure 2. Bell’s Palsy Management Algorithm
Figure 2. Bell’s Palsy Manage...