Abstract

VALDEZ GONZALEZ, Jonathan et al. Facial paralysis: always Bell's palsy?. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2013, vol.6, n.3, pp.169-171. ISSN 2386-8201.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1699-695X2013000300008.

Peripheral facial paralysis is a relatively common reason for primary care consultations, affecting males and females similarly. The most common peripheral facial paralysis is that of idiopathic origin or Bell's palsy, in 70% of cases. Other less frequent aetiologies are injuries, viral infections or a possible neoplastic cause, whether from an intra-cranial or extra-cranial tumour. The most important clinical symptom is that affecting the facial muscles, with a full recovery in up to 80% of cases. Treatment is dependent on aetiology, with the most widely accepted being that for Bell's palsy; the use of corticosteroids. We present the case of a young female patient with refractory facial paralysis under primary healthcare treatment.

Keywords : Peripheral facial paralysis; Bell's palsy; cerebellopontine angle; epidermoid tumors.

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