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Suggest Treatment For Recurrent Facial Palsy
Question: Re-occurance of Bell'sPalsey symptoms ....paralysis of one side of face along with severe headache and pain on one side of the body.
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, thanks for asking from HCM.
I can understand your concern. The headache, pain on one side of the body and facial palsy needs further evaluation. It could be due to
: Brain bleed in gangliothalamic region
: Viral infection - Herpes zoster
: Ear infection involving facial nerve and mastoid bone
You need to consult neurologist. The doctor will
: First examine your face/body/ear
: Advise CT head to know about status of mastoid bone/facial canal and any bleed in brain
: MRI brain to know about facial nerve/brain parenchyma.
After confirming diagnosis and cause behind such symptoms, treatment is given. Usually, treatment is conservative. The doctor will prescribe
: Painkillers like Pregabaline/Amitriptyline/Gabapentine
: Steroids like Dexamethasone/Methylprednisolone to relieve facial palsy.
: Bed rest
: Surgical decompression of nerve if facial nerve compression in canal and no relief after giving steroids.
Hope it will help you. Still any doubt, do let me know, I would be happy to help you.
Thanks.
Take care.
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, thanks for asking from HCM.
I can understand your concern. The headache, pain on one side of the body and facial palsy needs further evaluation. It could be due to
: Brain bleed in gangliothalamic region
: Viral infection - Herpes zoster
: Ear infection involving facial nerve and mastoid bone
You need to consult neurologist. The doctor will
: First examine your face/body/ear
: Advise CT head to know about status of mastoid bone/facial canal and any bleed in brain
: MRI brain to know about facial nerve/brain parenchyma.
After confirming diagnosis and cause behind such symptoms, treatment is given. Usually, treatment is conservative. The doctor will prescribe
: Painkillers like Pregabaline/Amitriptyline/Gabapentine
: Steroids like Dexamethasone/Methylprednisolone to relieve facial palsy.
: Bed rest
: Surgical decompression of nerve if facial nerve compression in canal and no relief after giving steroids.
Hope it will help you. Still any doubt, do let me know, I would be happy to help you.
Thanks.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
She had a CT today and is scheduled to see a Neurologist Thursday. This is the second time she has had the Palsey symptoms. The first diagnosis was Bells Palsey. And she was told today that it only re-occurs 4% of the time. Does that change anything?
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, thanks for asking from HCM.
It is good that she had undergone CT head and she will meet neurologist. Kindly discuss few possibilities with neurologist -
: Presence of nerve tumor or Schwannoma
: Presence of fibrous dysplasia of facial canal/temporal bone or congenital narrow facial canal
: Any possibility of recent onset of Diabetes/Herpes Zoster infection/Malignant Hypertension
Recurrence of Bell's palsy is common in younger age group (20-30 years age) or with above mentioned factors. Another possibility could be a totally different ethology. That can be confirmed after evaluation and reports.
Now coming to your question about prognosis/change. In medical literature or my practice, I have seen prognosis to be of same or worse. Few reports have mentioned about incomplete recovery/no recovery if facial palsy grade was severe. In her case, if palsy is mild, it is likely to resolve completely.
Chances of recurrence upto 4 times is highly rare. However cause behind recurrence needs full evaluation.
Hope it will help you. Thanks. Take care. Still any doubt, do let me know.
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, thanks for asking from HCM.
It is good that she had undergone CT head and she will meet neurologist. Kindly discuss few possibilities with neurologist -
: Presence of nerve tumor or Schwannoma
: Presence of fibrous dysplasia of facial canal/temporal bone or congenital narrow facial canal
: Any possibility of recent onset of Diabetes/Herpes Zoster infection/Malignant Hypertension
Recurrence of Bell's palsy is common in younger age group (20-30 years age) or with above mentioned factors. Another possibility could be a totally different ethology. That can be confirmed after evaluation and reports.
Now coming to your question about prognosis/change. In medical literature or my practice, I have seen prognosis to be of same or worse. Few reports have mentioned about incomplete recovery/no recovery if facial palsy grade was severe. In her case, if palsy is mild, it is likely to resolve completely.
Chances of recurrence upto 4 times is highly rare. However cause behind recurrence needs full evaluation.
Hope it will help you. Thanks. Take care. Still any doubt, do let me know.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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