Bell's Palsy - Facial Nerve palsy скачать в хорошем качестве

Bell's Palsy - Facial Nerve palsy

Bell’s palsy is a benign inflammatory disease of unknown etiology, which results from compression or inflammation of the facial nerve. It may occur following exposure to cold or a viral infection (herpes simplex and varicella zoster) and is generally associated with edema, entrapment, and ischemia of the facial nerve within the narrow bony canal. This condition, which accounts for about 80% of all cases of facial palsy, may accompany otitis media, mastoiditis, and petrositis and may occur in diabetic patients and pregnant woman. Despite the benign nature of the disease, signifcant anxiety is endured by patients due to the fear of stroke or permanent facial disfgurement. Patients exhibit abrupt or progressive unilateral weakness of the facial muscles (facial asymmetry, depression of the angle of mouth), which may be preceded or accompanied by earache. Glandular secretion, stapedius muscle function, and taste sensation often remain unaffected. Epiphora (excessive tearing) due to ectropion and lagophthalmos (inability to close the eye completely) due to weakness of the orbicularis oculi muscle also occur. The latter can also be seen in comatose patients and individuals with blepharoplasty. The oculoauricular reflex, which is characterized by posterior movement of the ear when the patient directs his/her gaze as far laterally as possible, is lost in Bell’s palsy. Patients may exhibit Bell’s phenomenon, in which the eye turns upward and outward without accompanying eyelid closure. Recurrence is seen in approximately 10% of Bell’s palsy patients. Unilateral recurrent facial palsy,