Navigating the complexities of bilateral facial nerve palsy: A case report
Caisha Nivenia Moses
, Wan Syahmi Bin Wan Mohamad, Kamarul Aryffin Bin Baharuddin, Mohamad Masykurin Bin Mafauzy, Mohd Faiz Bin Mohd Shukri
Department of Emergency Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
Keywords: Bell’s palsy, bilateral facial nerve palsy, corticosteroids, electromyography, Guillain–Barré syndrome, idiopathic facial palsy
Abstract
A 32 year old male presented with a 2 week history of progressive bilateral facial weakness, initially diagnosed as unilateral Bell’s palsy. Upon development of bilateral symptoms, further investigations revealed normal hematological, biochemical, and imaging results, ruling out common infectious and autoimmune causes. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies were normal, and lumbar puncture results excluded Guillain–Barré syndrome. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with idiopathic bilateral facial nerve palsy (FNP) after exhaustive exclusion of other etiologies. Treatment with corticosteroids led to symptomatic improvement. This case underscores the importance of a systematic approach in diagnosing rare presentations of FNP and highlights the favorable prognosis with appropriate management.
How to cite this article: Moses CN, Mohamad WS, Baharuddin KA, Mafauzy MM, Shukri MF. Navigating the complexities of bilateral facial nerve palsy: Acase report. Turk J Emerg Med 2025;25:239-41.