Differential diagnosis of recurrent or bilateral peripheral facial palsy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the differential diagnosis of recurrent or bilateral peripheral facial palsy.


METHODS
Case report and literature review.


RESULTS
Two patients with recurrent, alternating, peripheral facial palsy are described. In both patients, additional investigation was performed to search for a specific diagnosis. In the first patient, only a positive family history was found, indicating a possible familial susceptibility. In the other patient, diabetes mellitus and hypertension were identified as risk factors.


CONCLUSIONS
There is an important and extensive differential diagnosis of recurrent or bilateral facial palsy. However, in a large proportion of patients the cause remains unknown.
Sophia Rehabilitation Centre, Delft, The Netherlands. dmoosterveer@hotmail.com
D M
DM
Oosterveer
C P
CP
Bénit
E L L M
EL
de Schryver
D000368:Aged; D020330:Bell Palsy / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors