Bell's palsy: an overview

Facial nerve palsies can have a dramatic effect on patients’ quality of life, leaving them permanently disfigured. Bell's palsy is thought to be the most common cause of acute unilateral facial paralysis. Its hallmark is its rapid onset, but the exact aetiology of Bell's palsy remains elusive, with some attributing it to viral, inflammatory or autoimmune causes and others to ischaemia. There is also some controversy as to the appropriate treatment. This article provides an overview of each of these areas, with a view to increasing awareness of this usually temprary but often distressing condition.