Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Bell's palsy, an acute, idiopathic, and typically unilateral facial nerve paralysis, represents a common cause of sudden facial weakness. The aetiology is often attributed to viral infections. This case report discusses the presentation, diagnosis, and management of a rare case of idiopathic bilateral Bell's palsy. We present a case of a 31-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with a one-week history of progressive bilateral facial weakness following initial neck and jaw pain. Despite the resolution of pain, the patient experienced complete facial paralysis on both sides, including the inability to raise eyebrows, close eyes fully, and numbness over the lips. The patient presented with no complaints of headache, trauma, vision changes, or recent travel history. Examination and routine blood tests yielded normal results, and a head CT scan showed no abnormalities. As a result, the diagnosis of idiopathic bilateral Bell's palsy was confidently confirmed. This case highlights the clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and management of a rare bilateral facial palsy, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive evaluation and considering Bell's palsy in differential diagnoses of acute facial weakness.
Source: Cureus
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.69093
Authors: Aditya Jain, Rajeshwar Ranganathan, Abhishek Sinha, Abizar Rangoonwala, Subramaniam Kohul
Institution: United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Language: English
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4402407920