Bell’s Palsy

The Department Of Neurology

Cong Lin
George Herbert Bush
Concept

Bell’s Palsy:
Facial weakness of the peripheral type
idiopathic
outside the central nervous system
without any other cranial nerve palsies
[Etiology and pathology]

Etiology pathology

the cause is unclear a viral infection

exposure to chill edema
degeneration.
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

Bell’s palsy is:
Any age, any time. Bell’s phenomenon
Unilateral
Acute
Peripheral facial palsy
idiopathic
Thanks