Condition- Bell's palsy Flashcards
1
Q
What is Bell’s palsy?
A
Acute, unilateral, idiopathic facial nerve paralysis
2
Q
List two infective causes of Bell’s Palsy
A
HSV-1 - most common
VZV
3
Q
List some of the presenting symptoms of Bell’s palsy
A
- Can’t scrunch up forehead
- Can’t shut eyes (even at night)
- Corenal abrasions
- Dry eyes
- Droopy smile
4
Q
Which investigation could you do on a patient with Bell’s Palsy?
A
Serology- check for HSV-1, VZV and Lyme’s disease
5
Q
How is Bell’s Palsy managed?
A
- Eye patch (to prevent corneal abrasions) and Eye drops (to lubricate)
- Prednisalon: reduces inflammation and induces remission
6
Q
How can facial paralysis caused by stroke be differentiated from Bells
A
- Bell’s is a LMN lesion so the forehead is paralysed
- Stroke is an UMN lesion so the forehead is still functional because the forehead has a double innervation
7
Q
What is the name of the facial syndrome caused by VZV reactivation in the facial nerve?
A
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
8
Q
List some of the presenting symptoms of someone with Ramsay Hunt syndrome
A
- Facial nerve paralysis
- Pain
- Vesicles in the inner ear, anterior 2/3rds of the tongue, hard palate (shingles)
- CN8 involvement => vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss