Bells Palsy & Facial Spasms (7th Nerve)

FACIAL NERVE

The facial nerve, also known as cranial nerve #7, is one of the twelve paired cranial nerves.  There is a facial nerve for the right and left side of the face.  The facial nerve travels a long distance from the centre of the brain (brainstem) out to the muscles of the face.  During much of this course, the facial nerve is encased in a bony canal, which may make it prone to injury when nerve swelling occurs.
As suggested by its name, the facial nerve is responsible for much of the movement of the face; it closes the eyelids, lift the eyebrows, and helps you to smile.   The facial nerve also dampens noise from the ear drum, and has a partial role in helping you taste things. (Some or all of these functions may be compromised when the facial nerve is injured.) The facial cranial nerve can be “underactive” as in a Bells palsy, or “overactive” as in hemifacial spasm.

 

BELLS PALSY:  is a weakness of the seventh cranial nerve named after  Dr. Charles Bell.  Patients with Bells palsy have a “droopy” face on the affected side.  Bells palsy usually occurs suddenly but should not be confused with a “brain” stroke. Many people get Bells palsy (apparently George Clooney had one in high school, as did Pierce Brosnan (007), two members of Dr. Ing’s family, and perhaps Mona Lisa!).  Bells palsy occurs more often in patients that are diabetic, pregnant women, and in patients with a family history of Bells palsy.

    Bells palsy is most likely due to facial nerve inflammation caused by the cold sore virus (Herpes simplex).  Since the rigid bone surrounding the intracranial facial nerve cannot expand to accommodate the swollen nerve, it becomes compressed and is temporarily damaged.
Causes for facial nerve weakness (palsy) other than Bells palsy include:  facial trauma, brain tumours (especially after acoustic schwannoma surgery), parotid gland tumours, herpes zoster, lyme disease, sarcoidosis and leprosy.  Unlike Bells palsy occurs suddenly, but facial nerve palsy from tumours is usually slowly progressive.
Most patients with Bells palsy will recover by themselves over weeks to months.  During the recovery period patients must lubricate the eye on the affected side until adequate blinking returns.  Patients should see an ophthalmologist regularly to ensure that the cornea is not being damaged with the Bells palsy.  If the cornea dries out from exposure, or becomes infected, permanent corneal scarring may result.
Other causes of facial nerve palsy do not have as good a prognosis as Bells palsy.  If the facial nerve has to be cut during brain surgery, the function of the facial nerve will not recover. If a facial nerve palsy does not appear to be improving, neuroimaging (CT or MRI) may be performed.

TREATMENT:    Although Bells palsy usually resolves by itself, up to 15% of patients may not recover well.  For this reason many doctors will prescribe steroid pills.  The November 2015 Cochrane review suggested there is low to moderate quality evidence for the use of antivirals in addition to corticosteroids.
 
Review the “Dry Eye” page on this website.  Ensure that the affected eye stays well lubricated with artificial tears (e.g. Refresh/Systane) every hour, or ointment (e.g. Lacrilube, Duolube, Liposic ung, Tear Gel) 4-6 times per day.  If the eye appears red, or feels irritated, not enough lubrication is being used and there is risk of infection or vision loss.  Moisture chamber glasses (e.g. Ziena) can be worn during the day. Most patients prefer to use ointment at night because ointments may blur the vision during the day.  At night, a plastic moisture shield, Gulden lagophthalmos kit, Tegaderm plastic “patch, or Saran wrap may help.  Temporary stick-on lid weights (Meddev Corporation  1 800 543-2789) are commercially available to help the eye close.  If there is a severe facial nerve weakness, and the patient cannot keep the eye moist, or has lost corneal sensation (e.g. following brain surgery) the eyelids on the affected side may be sewn together (tarsorraphy).
If the facial nerve has not recovered after a few months, surgery may be considered.  If the lower eyelid is drooped outwards (ectropion) it can be surgically tightened.  If the cheek  is drooped, it can be lifted to help close the eye.  A gold weight can be sewn in to the upper lid to help it close.  A permanent lateral tarsorraphy (sewing the lids together) can be performed if needed.  The tear drainage holes (puncta) can be cauterized to conserve moisture.
If the facial nerve was cut during brain surgery, a neurosurgeon may connect the 12th cranial nerve with the 7th cranial nerve (hypoglossal facial anastamosis) to try and improve function.    
 
 
BLEPHAROSPASM & HEMIFACIAL SPASM
Patients with continuous, uncontrolled blinking may have:
BLEPHAROSPASM,
Image result for de gaper blepharospasmdue to a problem with the basal ganglia circuit of the brain often exacerbated by dry eyes.  Some patients with blepharospasm are so severely affected that they are functionally blind, and cannot see to walk or drive.  Blepharospasm may be accompanied by the inability to open the eyes (apraxia of lid opening) and movement in other areas of the face e.g. the mouth.  
HEMIFACIAL SPASM is somewhat similar to blepharospasm, but only half the face is involved.  Hemifacial spasm is usually due to an aged, atherosclerotic, tortuous artery pushing on the facial nerve (7th cranial nerve).  As a precaution patients with hemifacial spasm may need a brain scan to exclude the uncommon possibility of a brain tumor.

Blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm are usually treated with BOTULINUM injections.**  Botulinum or Botox can be thought of as a long acting muscle relaxant that takes 304 days to work, but lasts 3-4 months.  Botox injections are usually repeated every 3-4 months.  If you are bringing the botox to Dr. Ing’s clinic, pack it in a cooler with ice.  Ensure that the pharmacist has included the saline for Dr. Ing.

     If blepharospasm does not respond to botox injections, eyelid surgery to excise the overactive muscles may be required.  Restorative lid surgery may also be required since the chronic blinking often stretches the eyelid tissues.  Artificial tears, rose coloured lens tint (FL-41), lorazepam,  chewing gum, and singing may also help patients with blepharospasm function better.
If hemifacial spasm does not respond to botox injections, a very involved brain operation by a neurosurgeon (posterior fossa microvascular decompression) can be considered.

** Alternative forms of botulinum other than Botox include Dysport and Myobloc (type B).