Bells Palsy

The Department Of Neurology

Cong Lin
George Herbert Bush
Concept
Facial weakness of the peripheral type
idiopathic
outside the central nervous system
without any other cranial nerve palsies

Bells Palsy:

[Etiology and pathology]

the cause is unclear
exposure to chill
a viral infection
edema
degeneration.



Etiology

pathology

Anatomicophysiology
[Clinical features]
Occurs at any age and any time.
unilateral
The onset is acute. attain maximum
paralysis in 48h --5 days.
pain behind the ear.

Peripheral facial palsy


[Diagnosis]

based on the acute onset and the
peripheral facial palsy.
distinguished from facial paralysis due
to other causes
distinguished from the supranuclear
one (such as in a stroke)



Prognosis

usually good. recover within a few
weeks or in a month or two.

But if there is evidence of denervation
after 10 days, one may expect a long
delay in the onset of recovery.

Treatment

surgical decompression may be harmful.
take some corticosteroids, such as
prednisone (40 to 60mg/day).
Vitamin B
antiviral agents may be useful.
physiatrics and acupuncture therapy
a shield to protect the eye.

summary
The major features of
Bells palsy is:
Any age, any time.
Unilateral
Acute
Peripheral facial palsy
idiopathic


Bells phenomenon
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