Facial Nerve (Seventh Cranial Nerve): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

The facial nerve has both motor and sensory functions:

• Motor: Controls muscles of facial expression (smiling, frowning, blinking).

• Sensory: Provides taste sensation from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.

• Parasympathetic: Stimulates tear glands and salivary glands.

This multifunctional role explains why damage can lead to such a wide spectrum of symptoms.

Bell’s Palsy

The most common cause of acute facial paralysis, thought to result from viral inflammation.

Trauma and Injury

• Skull base fractures

• Birth trauma in infants

• Surgical injury during ear or parotid gland operations

Tumors

• Acoustic neuromas

• Parotid gland tumors

• Skull base neoplasms

Infections

• Herpes zoster oticus (Ramsay Hunt syndrome)

• Lyme disease

• Chronic otitis media

Neurological Disorders

• Multiple sclerosis

• Guillain–Barré syndrome

• Sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the face

• Inability to close the eye fully

• Drooping of the mouth corner

• Difficulty speaking or eating

• Loss of taste

• Dry eyes or excessive tearing

• Emotional distress due to facial asymmetry

At Amer Facial Paralysis Center, diagnosis begins with a comprehensive evaluation:

• Neurological examination

• Electromyography (EMG)

• Nerve conduction studies

• MRI and CT imaging

• Functional grading using House-Brackmann scale

Medical Treatments

• Corticosteroids (for Bell’s Palsy)

• Antivirals (in viral causes)

• Antibiotics (in bacterial infections)

Surgical Interventions

• Nerve decompression

• Tumor excision with nerve preservation

• Direct nerve repair

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

• Neuromuscular retraining

• Electrical stimulation

• Massage therapy

Advanced Microsurgical Options at Amer Facial Paralysis Center

Dr. Tarek Amer specializes in cutting-edge surgical procedures including:

• Cross-facial nerve grafting

• Nerve transfer (hypoglossal-facial, masseteric-facial)

• Free functional muscle transfer (gracilis muscle)

Facial paralysis often leads to:

• Social withdrawal

• Loss of self-confidence

• Anxiety and depression

At Amer Facial Paralysis Center, psychological support and counseling complement surgical and medical treatment.

Prognosis depends on the cause and extent of injury.

• Bell’s Palsy: 70–80% recover fully with treatment.

• Trauma or tumor-related: prognosis varies, often requires surgical intervention.

• Early treatment leads to better outcomes.

• Treat ear infections promptly

• Manage chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension

• Seek medical help immediately at first signs of paralysis

Book an online consultation

• Led by Dr. Tarek Amer, a renowned plastic surgeon specializing in facial nerve reconstruction

• State-of-the-art microsurgical facilities

• Multidisciplinary approach (neurology, ENT, plastic surgery, rehabilitation)

• Personalized care plans

• Proven track record with international patients

About Dr. Tarek Amer

Q: How long does it take to recover from facial nerve injury?
A: It varies from weeks (Bell’s Palsy) to months or years (surgical cases).

Q: Can surgery restore my smile?
A: Yes, modern microsurgery offers highly successful smile reanimation techniques.

Q: Is treatment painful?
A: Most procedures are minimally invasive, and rehabilitation is well tolerated.