The Vital Role of Clinical Examination in Unmasking Bell's Palsy: Beyond Pattern Recognition.

While multiple sclerosis (MS) commonly manifests with optic nerve involvement, it can also masquerade as diverse cranial nerve (CN) palsies. We present the case of a young male initially diagnosed with Bell's palsy based on unilateral facial nerve paralysis. Despite the presence of typical clinical features, the patient's evaluation took an unexpected turn. Subsequent brain MRI revealed demyelinating lesions, ultimately confirming the diagnosis of MS. This case underscores the importance of maintaining vigilance in diagnosing atypical presentations of MS, illustrating how meticulous evaluation and neuroimaging play pivotal roles in uncovering underlying pathologies when conventional diagnoses such as Bell's palsy raise uncertainties.

Photobiomodulation in the Treatment of Bell's Palsy: An Integrative Review / Fotobiomodulación en el Tratamiento de la Parálisis de Bell: una Revisión Integradora

Bell's palsy is defined as a lower motor neuron palsy that develops from a non-suppurative inflammation of the facial nerve at the stylomastoid foramen. The objective of this integrative review was to determine the effects of photobiomodulation as a therapeutic method for Bell's palsy. This qualitative study provided a broader understanding of the subject studied. Searches for articles were carried out in PubMed databases via Medline, LILACS, IBES, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and CENTRAL using MeSH and DeCS descriptors to determine the search terms. A total of 143 articles were found. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 7 articles were included. Therefore, it can be concluded that the application of low-level laser in the treatment of Bell's palsy is effective since the studies indicated significant and relevant improvements for the recovery of these patients when associating the laser with other types of treatments.

La parálisis de Bell se define como una parálisis de la neurona motora inferior que se desarrolla a partir de una inflamación no supurativa del nervio facial en el agujero estilomastoideo. El objetivo de esta revisión integradora fue determinar los efectos de la fotobiomodulación como método terapéutico para la parálisis de Bell. Este estudio cualitativo proporcionó una comprensión más amplia del tema estudiado. Las búsquedas de artículos se realizaron en las bases de datos PubMed a través de Medline, LILACS, IBES, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase y CENTRAL utilizando los descriptores MeSH y DeCS para determinar los términos de búsqueda. Se encontraron un total de 143 artículos. Después de aplicar los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, se incluyeron 7 artículos. Por tanto, se puede concluir que la aplicación de láser de baja intensidad en el tratamiento de la parálisis de Bell es eficaz debido a que los estudios indicaron mejoras significativas y relevantes para la recuperación de estos pacientes al asociar el láser a otro tipo de tratamientos.

Bell's Palsy Secondary to COVID-19 Infection.

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is known to present with a variety of features, with the most common being upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms. However, there are emerging reports of COVID-19 infections with extrapulmonary manifestations, including neurological conditions. We report a case of a patient who presented to his primary care physician with symptoms of Bell's Palsy after recovering from a COVID-19 infection. He was given timely and appropriate treatment that resolved symptoms without residual neurological deficits.

Back to Play Considerations in a Patient With Bell's Palsy: A Case Report and Review.

Bell's palsy is an acute, ipsilateral facial paralysis secondary to inflammation of cranial nerve VII. This condition is classically caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV); however, many providers will make a diagnosis in the setting of other underlying conditions that are known to cause similar symptoms. The annual incidence of Bell's palsy is 11.5-53.3 per 100,000 persons, with a small subset of individuals being contact sport athletes. A unique challenge to treating Bell's palsy in collegiate athletes is finding a way for these players to return to their sport in a timely fashion, while also avoiding traumatic ocular injuries. Athletic goggles may provide a potential alternative option for athletes to return to the play of their respective sport prior to the physical symptoms subsiding. Due to the prolonged duration of most Bell's palsy symptoms, athletic goggles have the ability to save up to a full season of eligibility for a player. Aside from ocular injuries, a further challenge which encompasses all cases of Bell's palsy is the negative psychosocial effects which accompany the physical symptoms of this condition. Both the patient's physical and psychosocial health considerations must be taken into consideration. In this case report, we review the utility of ocular protection in helping collegiate athletes with unilateral facial paralysis return to play prior to the resolution of symptoms.

Bell's Palsy Unmasked: A Compelling Case Study of Facial Nerve Palsy During Pregnancy.

Facial paralysis occurs more frequently in pregnant individuals, affecting them two to four times more often than those who are not pregnant, making it the most frequent unilateral cranial nerve pathology in pregnancy. This case report describes a 29-year-old primigravida's presentation, examination, and treatment of left-sided (unilateral) facial nerve palsy during 32 weeks of gestation. Concerns regarding possible underlying reasons were raised when the patient suddenly developed left-side facial weakness. We examined her history, clinical assessment, and diagnosis methods, which included laboratory and neuro-imaging tests. The difficulties of managing this illness during pregnancy are explored, taking into account the well-being of the developing fetus and mother. There are several causes for facial nerve palsy during pregnancy, including idiopathic causes, vascular problems, and viral infections. Here, we emphasize the value of a multidisciplinary approach comprising obstetricians, neurologists, and other medical professionals to guarantee the best possible care. The paper also underscores the necessity for prompt diagnosis and suitable interventions to reduce problems and foster a successful outcome. This case report adds to the limited literature on facial nerve palsy in pregnancy by highlighting individualized medical care and teamwork in addressing this uncommon but serious condition.

Lower Motor Neuron Facial Palsy Due to Facial Colliculus Syndrome.

In patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with acute onset facial asymmetry, decision for disposition is usually based on whether it is an upper (UMN) or lower motor neuron (LMN) cranial nerve 7th (CN7) palsy. In my institution, patients with UMN CN7 palsy would require admission for further investigations to look for central causes. Those who have an isolated LMN facial nerve palsy can be managed as outpatients. A 36-year-old gentleman presented to the ED with acute vertigo and right facial weakness. He had no known cardiac risk factors. His vital signs on presentation were: Temperature 36.6℃, blood pressure 142/68mmHg, pulse rate 92/min, and oxygen saturation level (SpO2) 100% on room air. Initial neurological examination revealed a right LMN CN7 palsy without any other cranial nerve, cerebellar, or pyramidal deficits. He was given symptomatic treatment for vertigo without relief. Repeat examination subsequently showed a right conjugate gaze palsy with gaze-evoked nystagmus. There was no limb weakness or numbness. Gait was noted to be unsteady with a broad-based stance and truncal ataxia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of his brain subsequently showed an infarct affecting the right facial colliculus in the dorsal pons. In my department, this was the first case of a young patient with a stroke presenting with LMN CN7 palsy. He was initially treated for a possible peripheral cause of his vertigo as he had a history of vestibular neuronitis, but without symptomatic improvement. Patients with neurological symptoms (e.g. vertigo) not resolving with initial treatment should prompt consideration for repeat neurological examination because the patient may have evolving neurological signs, as well as consider the potential for initial anchoring/cognitive bias. In this case, the gaze palsy and cerebellar signs were only noted on subsequent examination. Presence of LMN CN7 palsy with other associated neurological signs (including other cranial nerve palsies) would warrant further imaging to look for more sinister intracranial causes, including cerebral infarcts or space-occupying lesions.  This case serves to remind medical practitioners to strongly consider a central cause (e.g. stroke) for patients presenting with an LMN facial palsy, even in young patients in the absence of other vascular risk factors, especially when other neurological symptoms and signs are present.

Vitamin C Deficiency as a Risk Factor for Bell's Palsy: A New Association.

A 28-year-old female developed gum hypertrophy after five months of Bell's palsy (BP). The vitamin C level was severely low. After vitamin C supplementation for one month, gingival hypertrophy was completely resolved. Facial deviation also improved following rehabilitation. Vitamin C is commonly considered as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulator, and it hastens recovery of neuritis caused by herpes (cause of BP). BP too has an immune-inflammatory background. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, vitamin C deficiency has been reported as a cause or triggering/risk factor for Bell's palsy and at the same time immune-inflammation triggered in BP also may lead to vitamin C deficiency as existing vitamin C in the body starts scavenging free radicals to prevent oxidative damage. Vitamin C levels must be checked in all cases of BP, and intake of vitamin C-rich food should be encouraged in people who are at risk of developing BP.

Psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System / Propriedades psicométricas da versão brasileira do Sunnybrook Facial Grading System

Abstract Introduction: The Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS) is a scale to evaluate facial function in three domains, namely resting symmetry, voluntary move-ments, and synkinesis. It is commonly used in scientific research and clinical practice to assess and monitor people with facial paralysis. Objective: To translate and cross-culturally adapt the SFGS, develop a version for the Brazilian population (SFGS - Brazil) and analyze its psychometric properties, including validity, interrater reliability and responsiveness. Methods: A multidisciplinary panel translated and adapted the SFGS into Brazilian Portuguese, creating the SFGS-Brazil version. Next, content validation was carried out by a panel of four physical therapists with clinical experience in caring for people with facial paralysis, in addition to interrater reliability and scale responsiveness after physical therapy intervention. Results: For SFGD validation, committee agreement rate and the content validity index were greater than 90%. Agreement (interrater reliability) was excellent for most items and overall (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.99; p < 0.000) and the scale proved to be responsive, indicating post-intervention improvement (t = 10.66; p = 0.000). Conclusion: The domains and items of the SFGS-Brazil are conceptually equivalent to those of the original version, and the instrument displays adequate psychometric properties, including validity, agreement and responsiveness. The SFGS-Brazil is suitable for the Brazilian population and can be used in scientific studies and clinical practice.

Resumo Introdução: O Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS) é uma escala para avaliar a função facial em três domínios, incluindo simetria em repouso, movimentos voluntários e sincinesias. Essa escala é comumente utilizada em pesquisas científicas e na prática clínica para a avaliação e acompanhamento de pessoas com paralisia facial. Objetivo: Traduzir e adaptar transculturalmente o SFGS, elaborar a versão para a população brasileira (SFGS-Brasil) e analisar suas propriedades psicométricas, incluindo validade, confiabilidade interexaminadores e responsividade. Métodos: Um comitê multidisciplinar traduziu e adaptou o SFGS para o português do Brasil, gerando a versão SFGS-Brasil. Após esta fase, realizou-se a validação de conteúdo por um comitê de quatro fisioterapeutas com experiência clínica em atendimento de pessoas com paralisia facial, além da confiabilidade interexaminadores e a responsividade da escala após intervenção fisioterapêutica. Resultados: Para a validação do SFGS, a taxa de concordância do comitê total e o índice de validade do conteúdo mostraram-se maiores que 90%. A concordância (confiabilidade interexaminadores) mostrou-se excelente para maioria dos itens e para o total (coeficiente de correlação intraclasse = 0,99; p < 0,000), e o instrumento mostrou-se responsível, podendo-se identitificar melhora segundo o SFGS-Brasil após a intervenção (t = 10,66; p = 0,000). Conclusão: O SFGS-Brasil possui equivalência conceitual dos domínios e itens à versão original, possui propriedades psicométricas adequadas, incluindo validade, concordância e responsividade. O SFGS-Brasil é adequado para a população brasileira, podendo ser usado em estudos científicos e na prática clínica.

Evaluación clínica y funcional de pacientes con parálisis de Bell tratados con láser / Clinical and functional evaluation of patients with Bell´s palsy treated with laser

Se realizó una intervención terapéutica, multicéntrica, de 88 pacientes con parálisis de Bell tratados con láser en los servicios de rehabilitación de los policlínicos "Julián Grimau", "Ramón López Peña" y "28 de Septiembre" de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero de 2013 hasta diciembre 2014, para determinar la eficacia de este proceder según la evolución clínica y funcional de los afectados. La muestra aleatoria fue dividida en 2 grupos con 44 integrantes cada uno: los del grupo control recibieron magnetoterapia; los del grupo de estudio, láser en puntos locales y a distancia, para lo cual se empleó la estadística descriptiva, así como las pruebas T de Student, Mann Whitney, Ji al cuadrado de homogeneidad y de Pearson. Predominaron las féminas vinculadas laboralmente (76,1%) y las edades comprendidas entre 25 y 34 años (46,6%). En los tratados con láser prevalecieron los tiempos rápidos de respuesta con evolución satisfactoria y no hubo complicaciones. Se concluye que el láser de baja potencia es una modalidad no invasiva y eficaz, capaz de modificar parámetros clínicos y funcionales en corto tiempo, de modo que constituye una opción terapéutica válida.

A multicenter therapeutical intervention of 88 patients with Bell´s palsy treated with laser in the rehabilitation services of "Julián Grimau", "Ramón López Peña" and "28 de Septiembre" polyclinics in Santiago de Cuba, was carried out from January, 2013 to December, 2014, to determine the effectiveness of this procedure according to the functional and clinical course from those affected. The random sample was divided in 2 groups with 44 members each: those from the control group received magnetotherapy; those from the study group, laser in local points and laser at distance, for which the descriptive statistic was used, as well as Student´s t, Mann Whitney, homogeneity chi-squared and Pearson tests. There was a prevalence of working women (76.1%) and the ages between 25 and 34 (46.6%). In those treated with laser the response quick times prevailed, with satisfactory clinical course and there were no complications. As a conclusion: low power laser is a non invasive and effective modality, able to modify clinical and functional parameters in short time, so it constitutes a valid therapeutic option.

[Lengthening temporalis myoplasty: A new approach to facial rehabilitation with the "mirror-effect" method]. / Rééducation des paralysies faciales après myoplastie d'allongement du muscle temporal. Intérêt du protocole « effet-miroir ¼

Peripheral facial paralysis often reveals two conditions that are hard to control: labial occlusion and palpebral closure. Today, there are efforts to go beyond the sole use of muscle stimulation techniques, and attention is being given to cerebral plasticity stimulation? This implies using the facial nerves' efferent pathway as the afferent pathway in rehabilitation. This technique could further help limit the two recalcitrant problems, above. We matched two groups of patients who underwent surgery for peripheral facial paralysis by lengthening the temporalis myoplasty (LTM). LTM is one of the best ways to examine cerebral plasticity. The trigeminal nerve is a mixed nerve and is both motor and sensory. After a LTM, patients have to use the trigeminal nerve differently, as it now has a direct role in generating the smile. The LTM approach, using the efferent pathway, therefore, creates a challenge for the brain. The two groups followed separate therapies called "classical" and "mirror-effect". The "mirror-effect" method gave a more precise orientation of the patient's cerebral plasticity than did the classical rehabilitation. The method develops two axes: voluntary movements patients need to control their temporal smile; and spontaneous movements needed for facial expressions. Work on voluntary movements is done before a "digital mirror", using an identical doubled hemiface, providing the patient with a fake copy of his face and, thus, a 7 "mirror-effect". The spontaneous movements work is based on what we call the "Therapy of Motor Emotions". The method presented here is used to treat facial paralysis (Bell's Palsies type), whether requiring surgery or not. Importantly, the facial nerve, like the trigeminal nerve above, is also a mixed nerve and is stimulated through the efferent pathway in the same manner.