Facial nerve palsy: assessment and management

Abstract

The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) is the most common site of unilateral cranial nerve palsy. Patients with facial nerve palsy may present in either the emergency department or primary care setting and it is important to be familiar with appropriate assessment and management. The most common cause of facial palsy is idiopathic (otherwise known as Bell's palsy), accounting for around 50% of cases. This is essentially a diagnosis of exclusion and therefore a systematic approach to history, examination and investigation is required to ensure that the correct diagnosis is made.