title: Histopathology of Bell's palsy.
abstract: The histopathology of the facial nerve 1 week after the onset of Bell's palsy is reported. The entire nerve was infiltrated by inflammatory cells. Myelin breakdown, axonal changes, and edema were present, suggesting viral neuritis. The role of decompression in this disease process is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Liston
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kleid
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000473:pathology*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009443:Neuritis / Q000473:pathology*; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology