title: Management of Bell"s palsy: a report of 2 cases.
abstract: Bell"s palsy is a neuropathy of the peripheral seventh cranial nerve, resulting from traumatic, compressive, infective, inflammatory or metabolic abnormalities or it can be idiopathic. HIV, Epstein-Barr virus and hepatitis B virus have been suspected as initiating organisms, but herpes simplex virus is the most frequently implicated. This report describes 2 cases of Bell"s palsy in children that were managed with antiviral agents. Both patients experienced complete recovery within 28 days; after 1 year follow-up, no recurrence was observed and both patients have normal facial movement. Differential diagnosis is essential to guide the treatment plan in Bell"s palsy. Special attention should be given to children with respect to prescription of medications that can cause important side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of oral pathology, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil. melissararaujo@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Melissa Rodrigues
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: de Araujo
authors.forename: Marcelo Rodrigues
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Azenha
authors.forename: Marcos Maurício
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Capelari
authors.forename: Clovis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marzola
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020330:Bell Palsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human; D006801:Humans; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014775:Virus Activation
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D000212:Acyclovir