Bell’s palsy is a condition that triggers paralysis on one side of the patient’s face. In this article a surgeon at A Loyola University Medical Center is trying a new surgical technique to treat Bell’s palsy. It uses electrical stimulations to regain most of the damaged nerve. Many symptoms are not visible such as loss of ability to taste, pain behind the ear, numbness, increased sensitivity to sounds; while drooling and the inability to close ones eye are clearly visible.
Leonetti said that most cases can be treated with oral steroids, but if the symptoms persist, he would recommend having surgery. This new technique is called microscopic decompression of the facial nerve. In this surgery the nerve covering is removed so it can swell and an electrical stimulator is used to send a current through the nerve. This in turn jump-starts the nerve to a rapid recovery.
Before the treatment can be administered a doctor must first understand why this condition has affected the patient. Due to modern technology blood tests, MRI’s, or a CT scans are done if the symptoms are not clear. Some potential causes include inflammation of facial nerves due to ear infections or ear surgeries. This new treatment’s results occur much quicker than the traditional way of treating Bell’s palsy.
“New Surgical Technique for Bell’s Palsy Facial Paralysis.” ScienceDaily. 1 Nov. 2013. 1 Nov. 2013 <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130611204432.htm>.
Tortora, Gerard J. Bryan Derrickson. A&P; principles of anatomy & physiology 13th edition. John Wiley & sons, inc 2011. Chapter 11.A Muscles of the Head That Produce Facial Expressions.