These are rare and virtually all are malignant. They are most common in the palate. The most common type is an adenoid cystic cancer which has a tendency to invade along nerves and has a high incidence of local recurrence irrespective of the treatment employed. Continue reading
Bell’s palsy is a form of facial paralysis resulting from a dysfunction of the cranial nerve VII (the facial nerve) that results in the inability to control facial muscles on the affected side. Several conditions can cause facial paralysis, e.g., brain tumor, stroke, and Lyme disease. However, if no specific cause can be identified, the condition is known as Bell’s palsy. Named after Scottish anatomist Charles Bell, who first described it, Bell’s palsy is the most common acute mononeuropathy (disease involving only one nerve) and is the most common cause of acute facial nerve paralysis. Continue reading
Facial nerve tests are useful aids in determining prognosis in patients with facial nerve paralysis. In treating patients with facial nerve disorders, one must be familiar with facial nerve anatomy, pathophysiology, and treatment options. History and physical examination are the most important components of diagnosis in facial nerve disorders. Continue reading