Not all facial paralysis is Bell's palsy: a case report

Misdiagnosis of Bell's palsy: Case series and literature review

Although Bell's palsy is a common etiology for isolated facial paralysis, it is important clinicians perform a complete neurologic examination to avoid misdiagnosis. Multiple cranial neuropathy is often caused by tumor or infection.

Facial pain followed by unilateral facial nerve palsy: a case report with literature review

Peripheral facial nerve palsy is the commonest cranial nerve motor neuropathy. The causes range from cerebrovascular accident to iatrogenic damage, but there are few reports of facial nerve paralysis attributable to odontogenic infections. In majority of the cases, recovery of facial muscle function begins within first three weeks after onset. This article reports a unique case of 32-year-old male patient who developed facial pain followed by unilateral facial nerve paralysis due to odontogenic infection. The treatment included extraction of the associated tooth followed by endodontic treatment of the neighboring tooth which resulted in recovery of facial nerve plasy. A thorough medical history and physical examination are the first steps in making any diagnosis. It is essential to rule out other causes of facial paralysis before making the definitive diagnosis, which implies the intervention. The authors hereby, report a case of 32-year-old male patient who developed unilateral facial nerve paralysis due to odontogenic infection with a good prognosis after appropriate treatment.

Facial pain followed by unilateral facial nerve palsy: a case report with literature review

Peripheral facial nerve palsy is the commonest cranial nerve motor neuropathy. The causes range from cerebrovascular accident to iatrogenic damage, but there are few reports of facial nerve paralysis attributable to odontogenic infections. In majority of the cases, recovery of facial muscle function begins within first three weeks after onset. This article reports a unique case of 32-year-old male patient who developed facial pain followed by unilateral facial nerve paralysis due to odontogenic infection. The treatment included extraction of the associated tooth followed by endodontic treatment of the neighboring tooth which resulted in recovery of facial nerve plasy. A thorough medical history and physical examination are the first steps in making any diagnosis. It is essential to rule out other causes of facial paralysis before making the definitive diagnosis, which implies the intervention. The authors hereby, report a case of 32-year-old male patient who developed unilateral facial nerve paralysis due to odontogenic infection with a good prognosis after appropriate treatment.

When the bell tolls on Bell's palsy: finding occult malignancy in acute-onset facial paralysis

PURPOSE

This study reports 4 cases of occult parotid malignancy presenting with sudden-onset facial paralysis to demonstrate that failure to regain tone 6 months after onset distinguishes these patients from Bell's palsy patients with delayed recovery and to propose a diagnostic algorithm for this subset of patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A case series of 4 patients with occult parotid malignancies presenting with acute-onset unilateral facial paralysis is reported.

RESULTS

Initial imaging on all 4 patients did not demonstrate a parotid mass. Diagnostic delays ranged from 7 to 36 months from time of onset of facial paralysis to time of diagnosis of parotid malignancy. Additional physical examination findings, especially failure to regain tone, as well as properly protocolled radiologic studies reviewed with dedicated head and neck radiologists, were helpful in arriving at the diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

An algorithm to minimize diagnostic delays in this subset of acute facial paralysis patients is presented. Careful attention to facial tone, in addition to movement, is important in the diagnostic evaluation of acute-onset facial paralysis.

Paralisia Facial Periférica por comprometimento do tronco cerebral: A propósito de um caso clínico

É apresentado um caso clínico de paciente portador de paralisia facial periférica com comprometimento de toda a hemiface direita. Durante a investigação clínica, esperava-se que o comprometimento topográfico do nervo facial se desse a partir de sua emergência na ponte. Após exames de imagem, evidenciou-se lesão expansiva no tronco cerebral. Deste modo, a classificação de paralisia facial como periférica ou central não atende a este caso. O uso de uma classificação utilizando os núcleos do nervo facial como referência pode ser mais adequado na investigação clínica da paralisia facial.