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Bell’s palsy is an acute, idiopathic, unilateral, lower motor neuron (LMN) facial nerve paralysis. It represents the most common cause of facial nerve palsy and is diagnosed by exclusion after ruling out secondary causes (infective, neoplastic, traumatic, demyelinating, vascular).

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic1hKbk4CKc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtB-YYeaeVc

https://youtu.be/TwJLWzq_9cU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgO8Vhij758

Bell’s Palsy is a damage, acute weakness, or paralysis of the Facial nerve (7th CN), without an identifiable cause. // rev.med

Bell’s Palsy is a damage, acute weakness, or paralysis of the Facial nerve (7th CN), without an identifiable cause. // rev.med

Etiopathology

Presumed viral etiology: Reactivation of latent herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) within the geniculate ganglion → edema, inflammation, and compression of the nerve in the narrow fallopian canal.
Ischemic neuropathy: Vasa nervorum compromise due to edema.
Autoimmune contribution: Inflammatory demyelination has been implicated.

Risk factors:

Pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, immunosuppression.

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Clinical Features

Sudden onset (within 48 hours) of unilateral facial weakness.
Inability to close the eye (lagophthalmos), loss of forehead creases, drooping of mouth corner.
Hyperacusis (nerve to stapedius affected).
Loss of taste in anterior 2/3rd of tongue (chorda tympani involvement).