Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 81 views

    Bell's Palsy: Neurolgy Chapter of IAP

    Uploaded by

    lizjathan
    Bell's palsy is characterized by acute, peripheral facial paralysis on one side of the face due to disruption of the 7th cranial nerve. It is the most common cause of facial paralysis and is often preceded by pain around the ear. While the exact cause is unknown, reactivation of the herpes simplex virus may be involved. Treatment focuses on corticosteroids which are most effective if started before paralysis is complete, as well as antivirals, with most patients recovering facial function within 6 months.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Bell's Palsy: Neurolgy Chapter of IAP

    Uploaded by

    lizjathan
    81 views9 pages
    Bell's palsy is characterized by acute, peripheral facial paralysis on one side of the face due to disruption of the 7th cranial nerve. It is the most common cause of facial paralysis and is often preceded by pain around the ear. While the exact cause is unknown, reactivation of the herpes simplex virus may be involved. Treatment focuses on corticosteroids which are most effective if started before paralysis is complete, as well as antivirals, with most patients recovering facial function within 6 months.

    Original Title

    Bells Palsy

    Copyright

    © Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)

    Available Formats

    PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Bell's palsy is characterized by acute, peripheral facial paralysis on one side of the face due to disruption of the 7th cranial nerve. It is the most common cause of facial paralysis and is often preceded by pain around the ear. While the exact cause is unknown, reactivation of the herpes simplex virus may be involved. Treatment focuses on corticosteroids which are most effective if started before paralysis is complete, as well as antivirals, with most patients recovering facial function within 6 months.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    81 views9 pages

    Bell's Palsy: Neurolgy Chapter of IAP

    Uploaded by

    lizjathan
    Bell's palsy is characterized by acute, peripheral facial paralysis on one side of the face due to disruption of the 7th cranial nerve. It is the most common cause of facial paralysis and is often preceded by pain around the ear. While the exact cause is unknown, reactivation of the herpes simplex virus may be involved. Treatment focuses on corticosteroids which are most effective if started before paralysis is complete, as well as antivirals, with most patients recovering facial function within 6 months.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    of 9

    Bell’s Palsy

     
                                                   

    Neurolgy Chapter of IAP


    Bell’s Palsy
    • Characterized by:
    – Peripheral facial paralysis
    – Acute benign cranial polyneuritis

    Acute disorder characterized by a disruption


    of the motor branches of cranial nerve VII
    on one side of the face. (in absence of
    stroke)
    Neurolgy Chapter of IAP
    Bell’s Palsy
    • Can affect any age • Reactivation causes
    group, though more edema,
    common from 20-60. inflammation,
    ischemia, and
    • Etiology unknown; eventual
    though reactivated demyelination of the
    herpes simplex may nerve, creating pain
    be involved. and alteration in
    motor and sensory
    function.
    Neurolgy Chapter of IAP
    Clinical manifestations
    • Benign, with 85% of •
    people recovering in
    6 months-remaining
    15% have some
    asymmetry of facial
    muscles

    Neurolgy Chapter of IAP


    Clinical manifestations
    • Often accompanied by an outbreak of herpes
    vesicles in or around the ear.
    • Pain around or behind the ear
    • Fever, tinnitus, hearing deficits
    • Flaccidity of the affected side of the face with
    drooping of the mouth accompanied by
    drooling DT paralysis of the facial nerve
    (motor branches)

    Neurolgy Chapter of IAP


    Clinical manifestations
    • Inability to close the eyelids, with an upward
    movement of the eyeball when closure is attempted;
    lower lid may turn out
    • Wide palpebral fissure (opening between eyelids)
    • Flattening of the nasolabial fold
    • Inability to smile, frown, or whistle
    • Unilateral loss of taste
    • Altered chewing ability; loss of or excessive tearing

    Neurolgy Chapter of IAP


    Complications
    • Psychological withdrawal DT changes in
    appearance,malnutrition or dehydration,
    mucous membrane trauma, corneal
    abrasion, muscle stretching, and facial
    spasms and contractures.

    Neurolgy Chapter of IAP


    Diagnostic Studies
    • Diagnosis made on basis of symptoms
    in the absence of other causes of
    paralysis such as stroke.
    • No definitive test
    • EMG may determine nerve excitability
    or absence

    Neurolgy Chapter of IAP


    Therapeutic Management
    • Corticosteroids- drug of choice
    • Prednisone may be started immediately!
    – Best if initiated before paralysis is complete
    – Taper off over 2 weeks
    – Decrease edema and pain
    Analgesics may be needed for pain
    Antivirals : Acyclovir (Zovirax) and Famvir because
    HSV is implicated in 70% of cases.
    See Lewis 1719-1720- Nursing Implementation

    Neurolgy Chapter of IAP

    You might also like