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Bell Palsy

Daniel R. Matta, DFPHM, FAAFP, MD and Paul McFarlane, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

An acute, usually unilateral, self-limiting peripheral (lower motor neuron) facial nerve (Cranial Nerve VII) palsy. Bell Palsy is largely idiopathic.. It results in the inability to ...

DIAGNOSIS

The diagnosis is based on a thorough history and examination. 

HISTORY

  • Onset: typically rapid (over 24–48 hours).

  • Typically unilateral (very rarely bilateral) lower motor neuron-type facial wea...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Artificial tears should be used frequently to lubricate the cornea.

  • The ipsilateral eye should be patched or taped shut at night to avoid drying and infection.

MEDICATION

  • Recove...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Start steroid treatment immediately

  • Patients who do not recover complete facial nerve function should be referred to ENT and/or ophthalmology for...

REFERENCES

1
Zhang W, Xu L, Luo T, et al. The etiology of Bell’s palsy: a review. J Neurol. 2020;26(7):1896–1905. 10.1007/s00415-019-09282-4.
2
Dalrymple SN, Row JH, Gazewood J. Bell Palsy: Rapid Evidenc...

ADDITIONAL READING

SEE ALSO

  • Baugh RF, Basura GJ, Ishii LE, et al. Clinical practice guideline: Bell’s palsy.  Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013;149(Suppl 3 ):S1–S27.  ...

SEE ALSO

Amyloidosis; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Herpes Simplex; Herpes Zoster (Shingles); Lyme Disease; Sarcoidosis; Sjögren Syndrome 

CODES

ICD10

  • G51.0 Bell's palsy

SNOMED

  • 193093009 Bell's palsy

  • 12239621000119103 Bells palsy of left side of face

  • 12239661000119108 Bells palsy of right side of face

  • 46061007 Bell's phenomenon

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Look closely at the voluntary movement on the upper part of the face on the affected side; in Bell palsy, all of the muscles are involved (weak or paralyzed), whereas in a stroke, the ...

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