Neuropathy - facial; Cranial mononeuropathy VII; Seventh cranial nerve palsy

• Change in the appearance of the face
  • Difficulty closing one eye
  • Difficulty making expressions, grimacing
  • Difficulty with fine movements of the face
  • Facial droop
  • Paralysis of one side of the face
• Difficulty eating (items fall out of the weak corner of the mouth)
• Face feels pulled to one side
• Face feels stiff
• Headache
• Impairment of taste
• Increased loudness of sound in one ear
• Pain behind the ear (for Bell's palsy)
• Sensitivity to sound (hyperacusis)

An examination will show facial drooping on one side of the face or just on the forehead, eyelid, or mouth. Examination of the eardrum may show fluid-filled sacs (vesicles).

A blood test may be done to check for Lyme disease. Other tests may include:

• Lumbar puncture
• MRI of the head
• Tests to rule out a stroke or other nervous system problems

Images

Central nervous system

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Facial nerve palsy Overview

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Facial nerve palsy Treatment

Review Date: 02/06/2008
Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, MD, Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)