Facial nerve palsy and facial nerve paralysis refer to conditions that affect the movement of the facial muscles, but there is a subtle difference in terms of severity and implications:
Facial Nerve Palsy:
Definition: Facial nerve palsy is a disorder characterized by weakness of the facial muscles. This can range from mild to severe and can affect just part of the face or the entire side.
Symptoms: Symptoms include drooping of the mouth, inability to close the eye on the affected side, and flattening of facial expressions. The severity can vary, meaning some muscle movement might still be possible.
Nature: Palsy implies partial or incomplete paralysis, with some degree of voluntary muscle control retained.
Facial Nerve Paralysis:
Definition: Facial nerve paralysis refers to a complete loss of voluntary muscle movement in the face due to nerve dysfunction.
Symptoms: Similar to facial nerve palsy but more severe. It includes complete inability to move the affected part of the face, leading to significant functional impairment.
Nature: Paralysis indicates a complete cessation of muscle function on the affected side of the face, without any voluntary control over the muscles.
Both conditions can result from a variety of causes including infections, trauma, neurological disorders, or congenital factors. However, the term “paralysis” is used when the nerve dysfunction is so severe that it results in total loss of voluntary muscle function, whereas “palsy” might still allow for some muscle function, albeit weakened.
Diagnosis and Treatment:
Both conditions require a thorough clinical evaluation to determine the cause and extent of nerve damage. Diagnostic tools might include MRI, CT scan, or electromyography.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and might include medications, physical therapy, or surgery. The recovery and treatment approach can be more complex for paralysis due to the complete loss of muscle function.
Incomplete facial nerve palsy
Complete facial nerve palsy , see Facial nerve paralysis.
see Facial nerve palsy after vestibular schwannoma surgery
see Delayed facial palsy after microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm.