Facial Nerve Paralysis - PDF document

Facial Nerve Paralysis etic problems experienced by a patient al paralysis of unknown etiology is termed named after Sir Terrence Bell. That term isoup of patients with whom no other cause can be pinpointed. This paralysis does most commonly occur with rapid onset often accompanied by pain behind the ear. Manifestations include inability to close the eye, smile and wrinkle the forehead. This causes a drawing of the face toward the opposite side of the face. Drooling may accompany this as well as excess or alternatively lack of The cause of facial paralysis may be varied, and treatment Lakeshore Ear, No se & T h roat Cente r , PC (586 ) 77 9-7 6 10 www.la ke sho r eent.com solidify and rule out the various lesions menlaboratory for this purpose. Other studies ofLakeshore physicians will proceed as indicated in a given patient. Once the evaluation is complete, appropriate

treatment is determined. Initially in all cases attention is given to the eye. Eye protection and treatment is of utmost importance and will include artificial tears eye patching of some sort and often an opthalmological evaluation. Occasionally, there is need to surgically help the eye to close and antiviral medications have proven in studies to improve the prognosis and thus the eatment is used for the Bell’s palsey but may opriately treated including medication and or may present with such a severe case that surgery, termed facial nerve decompression, may be considered. This is beyond this discussion and indeed remains somewhat controversial. This and all treatment decisions will be discussed in the office as the condition warrants. Suffice it to say that the overall patients recover completely, another 15% recover nearly completely, and less than 5% have noticeable permanent