Bell’s palsy with ipsilateral numbness

• Published in: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry Vol. 76; no. 7; pp. 1017 - 1018
• Main Authors: Vanopdenbosch, L J, Verhoeven, K, Casselman, J W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01-07-2005; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Adult; Bell Palsy - diagnosis; Bell Palsy - physiopathology; Bell Palsy - virology; Biological and medical sciences; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Diagnosis, Differential; Facial Nerve - pathology; Facial Nerve - physiopathology; Facial Nerve - virology; Functional Laterality - physiology; Geniculate Ganglion - pathology; Geniculate Ganglion - physiopathology; Geniculate Ganglion - virology; Humans; Hypesthesia - diagnosis; Hypesthesia - physiopathology; Hypesthesia - virology; Image Enhancement; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Neural Conduction - physiology; Neurology; Oculomotor disorders; Ophthalmology; Petrous Bone - pathology; Remission, Spontaneous; Sensitivity and Specificity; Short Report; Nervous system diseases; Cranial nerve disease; Motor system disorder; Facial paralysis; ENT disease; Facial nerve; Neurological disorder
• ISSN: 0022-3050; 1468-330X
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.2004.043059

Bell’s palsy is an idiopathic facial palsy of the peripheral type. A herpes virus is the most likely mechanism. We report a patient with the often encountered combination of a facial palsy with ipsilateral sensory changes. Magnetic resonance imaging showed had contrast enhancement in the greater petrosal nerve. Viral spread through anatomical connections could be an explanation for the association of facial palsy with numbness.