What is bilateral nerve palsy?

What is bilateral nerve palsy?

Clinical Presentation Bilateral facial palsy is characterised by paralysis or weakness of the muscles in both sides of the face. In many cases the onset of paralysis is not completely simultaneous, and one side of the face may be affected several days before the other.

What causes unilateral paralysis of cranial nerve VII?

The etiology of facial nerve paralysis may be congenital, iatrogenic, or result from neoplasm, infection, trauma, or toxic exposure. In the emergency department, the most common cause of unilateral facial paralysis is Bell’s palsy, also known as idiopathic facial paralysis (IFP).

What is ascending flaccid paralysis?

Flaccid paralysis is a neurological condition characterized by weakness or paralysis and reduced muscle tone without other obvious cause (e.g., trauma). This abnormal condition may be caused by disease or by trauma affecting the nerves associated with the involved muscles.

What can cause facial nerve damage?

The most common cause of facial paralysis is Bell’s palsy, which is thought to be a viral infection of the facial nerve, although the exact cause is not well known. Other causes of facial nerve paralysis include head trauma, parotid tumors, head or neck cancers, infections, brain tumors or stroke.

What causes bilateral facial paralysis?

Common causes for bilateral facial palsy include Lyme disease, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Leukaemia, Sarcoidosis, Infectious Mononucleosis and trauma. Only 20% of these cases are due to Idiopathic or Bell’s palsy where no evidence of systemic or local disease can be found [2].

How is bilateral facial palsy diagnosed?

Workup should include complete blood count, fluorescent treponemal antibody test, HIV test, fasting glucose, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Lyme titer, and antinuclear antibody level measurement. Lumbar puncture after a CT scan and also special facial nerve function tests could be performed.

Can stress cause facial paralysis?

Medical experts believe that stress weakens the immune system and damages the seventh cranial nerve (or the facial nerve) which causes facial paralysis. The condition causes one side of your face to droop or become stiff.

What would be the effect of damage to cranial nerve VII?

If the facial nerve is damaged, cranial nerve VII, one side of the face will not be able to make expressions, and taste may be altered2. Damage to this nerve is distressing because impairs one of our most relied upon forms of expression, and also affects one’s self-image.

What disease causes flaccid paralysis?

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a rare but serious condition that affects the nervous system, causing muscles to weaken. AFM can be caused by a variety of germs (including viruses), environmental factors and genetics.

What is the most common cause of facial paralysis?

Bell’s palsy is the most common cause of facial paralysis, although its exact cause is unknown. Generally, Bell’s palsy affects only one side of the face; however, in rare cases, it can affect both sides.