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 The
most common cause of facial paralysis is Bell's palsy. Bell's
palsy is an idiopathic "viral" attack on the facial nerve
occurring in approximately 11 persons out of 10,000.
The virus most commonly associated with Bell's palsy is the
Herpes Simplex-1 Virus (known as HS1). Recent studies show
strong clinical evidence that HS1 is the primary cause of
previously known idiopathic Bell's palsy. Nearly 80% of all
Bell's palsy patients studies were found to have this virus
present.The nerve
that is injured with Bell's Palsy is CN-VII (7th cranial nerve).
It originates in an area of the brain stem known as the Pons.
The 7th nerve passes through the stylomastoid foramen and enters
the parotid gland. It divides into its main branches inside the
parotid gland. These branches then further divide into 7000
smaller nerve fibers that reach into the face, neck, salivary
glands and the outer ear. The nerve controls the muscles of the
neck, the forehead and facial expressions, as well as perceived
sound volume. It also stimulates secretions of the lower jaw,
the tear glands and the salivary glands in the front of the
mouth. Taste sensations at the front 2/3 of the tongue and
sensations at the outer ear are transmitted by the 7th nerve.
Bells Palsy is caused by an inflammation within a small bony
tube called the fallopian canal. The canal is an extremely
narrow area. An inflammation within it is likely to exert
pressure on the nerve, compressing it. Likewise, if the nerve
itself becomes inflamed within this small canal, it can
encounter pressure, with the same result of compression. The
nerve has not yet exited the skull and divided into its several
branches, resulting in impairment of all functions controlled by
the 7th nerve. If only part of the face is affected, the
condition is not Bell's palsy. If, for example, the mouth area
is weak but the forehead moves, Bells palsy is ruled out. Trauma
induced by tumor, surgery, etc. can occur at a location where
the nerve has already divided into its main branches. This type
of trauma may spare one or more branches and allow some muscles
to remain functional. |
