Facial nerve paralysis

Abstract

Bell's palsy, an idiopathic facial nerve palsy, is the most common cause for acute facial nerve paralysis. Bell's palsy is not synonymous with facial nerve paralysis but is a diagnosis of exclusion for acute onset of idiopathic facial nerve paralysis. The differential diagnosis for facial nerve paralysis should be considered to correctly evaluate and give appropriate therapy in a timely fashion for the treatable causes of facial nerve paralysis. The status of facial nerve paralysis should be monitored by repeat electrical examinations, preferably ENoG. Most importantly, no one treatment is appropriate for all patients with facial nerve paralysis.