Clinico-Aetiological Study of Lower Motor Neuron Facial Palsy

Abstract

BACKGROUNDThe facial nerve paralysis is a broad term having so many differential diagnoses starting from congenital causes to malignant tumour. Accurate diagnosis with localisation of the site of injury or compression and timely intervention has become a challenge to an otorhinolaryngologist. Objective-To outline the incidence of the different aetiologies and the profile of peripheral facial nerve paralysis patients in the Otolaryngology Dept. of ENT in VIMSAR, Burla. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe records of 53 patients with facial nerve paralysis seen during the years of 2016 & 2017 were analysed. RESULTSFrom the 53 patients analysed, 60.4% were male, maximum cases 35.85% were in 3 rd decade of age and had the right side of the face involved in 62.26%. Bell´s palsy was the most frequent aetiology (66.04%), others are traumatic (11.32%), Ramsay Hunt syndrome (1.89%), CSOM (16.98%), malignant otitis externa (1.89%). One case of Bell´s palsy during pregnancy was also seen in this series. CONCLUSIONThe data found are similar to the most of the literature showing that Bell´s palsy is still the most frequent. Males are more commonly affected with a preponderance to involve right side of face.