When the bell tolls on Bell's palsy: finding occult malignancy in acute-onset facial paralysis.
OBJECTIVE
This study reports 4 cases of occult parotid malignancy presenting with sudden-onset facial paralysis to demonstrate that failure to regain tone 6 months after onset distinguishes these patients from Bell's palsy patients with delayed recovery and to propose a diagnostic algorithm for this subset of patients.


METHODS
A case series of 4 patients with occult parotid malignancies presenting with acute-onset unilateral facial paralysis is reported.


RESULTS
Initial imaging on all 4 patients did not demonstrate a parotid mass. Diagnostic delays ranged from 7 to 36 months from time of onset of facial paralysis to time of diagnosis of parotid malignancy. Additional physical examination findings, especially failure to regain tone, as well as properly protocolled radiologic studies reviewed with dedicated head and neck radiologists, were helpful in arriving at the diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
An algorithm to minimize diagnostic delays in this subset of acute facial paralysis patients is presented. Careful attention to facial tone, in addition to movement, is important in the diagnostic evaluation of acute-onset facial paralysis.
Quesnel
Alicia M
AM
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114, USA. alicia_quesnel@meei.harvard.edu
Lindsay
Robin W
RW
Hadlock
Tessa A
TA
D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed