Peripheral Facial Paralysis

Peripheral facial paralysis is often idiopathic (known as Bell's palsy) but it may also be caused by Varicella zoster virus (known as Ramsay Hunt syndrome), it may be associated with Lyme disease (borrelia), or in rare cases it may be caused by a tumour. Central facial paralysis is manifested as drooping of the contralateral angle of the mouth while the functions of other branches of the facial nerve remain unaffected. Except for central facial paralysis, the patient is referred to an otorhinolaryngologist for investigations and treatment.