[Diagnosis and treatment of facial palsy] NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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[Diagnosis and treatment of facial palsy]

Neurologia. 1997 Jan;12(1):23-30. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/97222725
Noya M; Pardo J; Servicio de Neurologia, Hospital General de Galicia-Clinico; Universitario, Santiago de Compostela.

Abstract: The topographic diagnosis of facial nerve lesions is based on the symptoms that accompany paralysis, allowing lesions to be located in the protuberance, pontocerebellar angle, facial channel or trajectory distal to the stylomastoid foramen. Most cases of peripheral facial palsy have no apparent cause (idiopathic, or Bell's, peripheral facial palsy). However, facial palsy can sometimes be a manifestation of neuroborreliosis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, HIV infection or neurinoma. Neurophysiologic studies complement physical examination to establish a prognosis; after the fifth day axonal degeneration related to incomplete recovery can be recognized. Magnetic resonance identifies nerve lesions but is useful only in atypical cases. Prednisone 1 mg/kg over 5 days, with gradual weaning, is the most widely accepted treatment for Bell's palsy. Acyclovir is indicated in Ramsay-Hunt syndrome. Early surgical decompression in cases with poor prognosis is not generally considered beneficial. Cases of permanent facial palsy have serious consequences, particularly because facial expression is altered.
Keywords: *Facial Paralysis/DIAGNOSISKWDfacialparalysis/diagnosis
970730
M9772166

Copyright © 1997 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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