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Clinical practice guideline: Bell's Palsy

Date:
November 4, 2013
Source:
American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Summary:
A multidisciplinary clinical practice guideline to improve the accurate and efficient diagnosis and treatment of Bell's palsy has been published. The guideline is intended for clinicians in any setting who are likely to diagnose and manage patients with Bell's palsy, the most common single nerve disorder, usually associated with facial paralysis.
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FULL STORY

A multidisciplinary clinical practice guideline to improve the accurate and efficient diagnosis and treatment of Bell's palsy was published in the journal Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. The guideline is intended for clinicians in any setting who are likely to diagnose and manage patients with Bell's palsy, the most common single nerve disorder, usually associated with facial paralysis.

"The primary purpose of this guideline is to improve the accuracy of diagnosis for Bell's palsy, to improve the quality of care and outcomes for patients with Bell's palsy, and to decrease harmful variations in the evaluation and management of Bell's palsy," said Reginald F. Baugh, MD, Chair of the Bell's palsy Guideline Panel.

Bell's palsy affects both men and women across a wide range of ages. The condition is characterized by facial paralysis and distortions that can appear as facial sagging, immobility, or contraction on the affected side. The condition occurs when the facial nerve is damaged by swelling or pressure, but the exact cause of Bell's palsy is unknown.

The clinical guideline for Bell's palsy was created by a panel that included otolaryngology -- head and neck surgeons, neurologists, facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons, neurotologists, otologists, emergency medicine and primary care professionals, nurses and physician assistants, and consumer advocates.


Story Source:

Materials provided by American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. R. F. Baugh, G. J. Basura, L. E. Ishii, S. R. Schwartz, C. M. Drumheller, R. Burkholder, N. A. Deckard, C. Dawson, C. Driscoll, M. B. Gillespie, R. K. Gurgel, J. Halperin, A. N. Khalid, K. A. Kumar, A. Micco, D. Munsell, S. Rosenbaum, W. Vaughan. Clinical Practice Guideline: Bell's Palsy. Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery, 2013; 149 (3 Suppl): S1 DOI: 10.1177/0194599813505967

Cite This Page:

American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. "Clinical practice guideline: Bell's Palsy." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 November 2013. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131104152718.htm>.
American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. (2013, November 4). Clinical practice guideline: Bell's Palsy. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 18, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131104152718.htm
American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. "Clinical practice guideline: Bell's Palsy." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131104152718.htm (accessed March 18, 2024).

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