Document Detail


An analysis of diagnostic delay in unilateral facial paralysis.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  15845188     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Bell's palsy or idiopathic facial palsy is the commonest cause of unilateral lower motor neuron facial palsy. Misdiagnosis of facial nerve palsy as Bell's palsy is still seen in clinical practice. The clinician should always consider the possibility of a potentially serious underlying pathology before making the diagnosis of Bell's palsy. We present a series of 13 patients referred to our ENT department with an initial diagnosis of Bell's palsy. Further clinical examination and investigation revealed the underlying cause. Many had additional symptoms and signs related to the ear. In all patients with unilateral facial palsy a detailed history should be taken and thorough clinical examination carried out. Where no recovery occurs within the expected time period further radiological investigations such as computerized axial tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be performed. Current scanning techniques provide good quality images, which can show occult lesions of the temporal bone, internal acoustic canal and/or cerebellopontine angle. Radiologists with a special interest and experience in otoneurological radiology should ideally report these images, and a close co-operation between ENT surgeon and radiologist is essential in arriving at a proper diagnosis.
Authors:
A Alaani; R Hogg; N Saravanappa; R M Irving
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Journal of laryngology and otology     Volume:  119     ISSN:  0022-2151     ISO Abbreviation:  J Laryngol Otol     Publication Date:  2005 Mar 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2005-04-22     Completed Date:  2005-07-05     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8706896     Medline TA:  J Laryngol Otol     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  184-8     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Bell Palsy / diagnosis*
Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / complications,  radiography
Diagnosis, Differential
Facial Nerve Diseases / complications,  radiography
Facial Paralysis / etiology*,  radiography
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged
Neurilemmoma / complications,  radiography
Retrospective Studies
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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