Practice
Bell palsy
Matthew Patel, Ameen Patel and Shijie Zhou
CMAJ June 27, 2022 194 (25) E867; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.220267
Matthew Patel
Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.
MB BCh BAOAmeen Patel
Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.
MB BCh BAOShijie Zhou
Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.
MD![Loading Loading](https://www.cmaj.ca/sites/all/modules/contrib/panels_ajax_tab/images/loading.gif)
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- (2022). Correction to “Bell palsy”. CMAJ, 194(31), E1093. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.221111.
- Patel, M., Patel, A., & Zhou, S. (2022). La paralysie de Bell. CMAJ, 194(38), E1337. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.220267-f.
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Bell palsy
Matthew Patel, Ameen Patel, Shijie Zhou
CMAJ Jun 2022, 194 (25) E867; DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.220267
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- Article
- Bell palsy accounts for 80% of cases of unilateral lower motor neuron facial paralysis1
- Onset is sudden and paralysis progresses within hours, affecting muscles of facial expression, including those in the forehead
- Without treatment, 70% of patients with complete and 94% with incomplete paralysis will recover facial function within 6 months4
- Patients with Bell palsy should receive corticosteroids within 48 hours of symptom onset, regardless of severity
- Investigation for upper motor neuron lesions or local compressive disorders should be considered for patients with new symptoms, progressive weakness or incomplete recovery4,5
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