title: Differential diagnosis of facial nerve palsy.
abstract: The differential diagnosis of facial complex can be complex, but all efforts must be made to identify the cause so that appropriate treatment can be offered. This article presents a review of conditions associated with acute facial palsy and discusses the differential diagnosis of this condition. The focus is on the differentiation of other causes of acute facial palsy from the idiopathic, or Bell's type, which is a diagnosis of exclusion.
authors.affiliation: Facial Paralysis Center, Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans