Bell’s Palsy
THE FACIAL NERVE The facial nerve is a mixed nerve, as it contains motor, sensory and autonomic fibres.
The sensory part receives taste sensations from the anterior 2/3 of the tongue. The autonomic part supplies the lacrimal gland as well as the submaxillary and sublingual salivary glands.
Anatomy of the motor part
LESIONS OF FACIAL NERVE The lesion may be:- 1- U.M.N.L. affecting the pyramidal tract above the facial nucleus. 2- L.M.N.L. affecting the facial motor nucleus or the nerve itself.
Bell’s Palsy Definition: It is an acute-paralysis of the face, due to a non-suppurative inflammation of the facial nerve near the stylomastoid foramen.
Aetiology :- 1- Exposure to air drafts usually precedes the onset; this may lead to ischaemia, oedema & compression of the nerve at the stylomastoid foramen. 2- It may be due to a neurotropic virus e.g. Herpes zoster.
3- It may be autoimmune, as evidenced by high levels of immunoglobulins in the patient's serum.
Clinical Picture:-
Treatment I-Medical:
II-Physiotherapy:
III-Surgical:
Prognosis
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