Facial nerve paralysis

Abstract

The facial nerve, the seventh pair of cranial nerves, has an essential role in non-verbal communication through facial expression. Besides innervating the muscles involved in facial expression, the complex structure of the facial nerve contains sensory fibres involved in the perception of taste and parasympathetic fibres involved in the salivation and tearing processes. Damage to the facial nerve manifested by facial paralysis translates into a decrease or disappearance of mobility of normal facial expression.Facial nerve palsy is one of the common causes of presenting to the Emergency Room. Most facial paralysis are idiopathic, followed by traumatic, infectious, tumor causes. A special place is occupied by the child’s facial paralysis. Due to the multitude of factors that can determine or favour its appearance, it requires a multidisciplinary evaluation consisting of otorhinolaryngologist, neurologist, ophthalmologist, internist.Early presentation to the doctor, accurate determination of the cause, correctly performed topographic diagnosis is the key to proper treatment and complete functional recovery.

Defining the Safe Entry Point in Deep Plane Facelifting with Novel Landmark for the Buccal Branch of the Facial Nerve

“…The muscles of facial expression produce movements for facial animation, a pivotal element of nonverbal communication, and play key functional roles in blinking; eye closure; control of tear film over the globe; and in oral competence, both at rest and during mastication. [1][2][3] Muscles of facial expression are innervated exclusively by the extracranial branches of the facial nerve 1 ; injury to the nerve can bestow an appearance that conveys negative emotions of anger and sadness 2 and impair facial functions. For these reasons, when elective surgical procedures are carried out on the face, the utmost care and diligence is required to protect and preserve the integrity and function of the facial nerve.…”

Improvement of Facial Paralysis after Parotidectomy with Integrated Korean Medicine Treatment: A Case Report

“…Facial nerve trauma (FNT) is the second most common cause of facial paralysis (FP), and its causes include plastic surgery, orthognathic surgery (such as bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy), skull fracture, temporal bone fracture caused by trauma, ear penetration, and tumor removal (13.8% of cases occur after tumor removal) [1,2]. When direct damage to the facial nerve occurs, approximately 33% of patients experience facial abnormalities, such as hypoesthesia, numbness, and tingling [1]. FP following FNT has a slower recovery rate than Bell's palsy, and its prognosis is determined by the extent of paralysis rather than when it occurs [2].…”