neurologic disorders
Facial Nerve Palsy
Key Points
In facial nerve palsy, patients cannot move the upper and lower part of their face on one side; in contrast, central facial nerve lesions (eg, due to stroke) affect primarily the lower face. Evidence that the mechanism for what was previously thought to be idiopathic facial nerve palsy is increasingly implicating herpes viruses. Diagnosis is clinical, but if other neurologic symptoms or signs are present or if symptom onset was not clearly acute, do MRI. If given early, corticosteroids are helpful for idiopathic facial nerve palsy; antivirals probably provide no benefit. 