Fact-sheet: Facial nerve neuritis


Updated on 06/26/2025 at 11:57 AM

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Definition

Inflammation of the facial nerve (CN VII) resulting in peripheral facial palsy, also known as Bell's palsy, of viral (HSV, EBV, VZV, COVID-19) or idiopathic origin.

Clinical features

Peripheral facial palsy without any other associated neurologic symptoms.

Rapid onset, with resolution over a few weeks to 6 months, most often complete, sometimes partial.

MRI

Enhancement of the facial nerve after contrast administration, best seen on the post-gadolinium 3D T1 FatSat sequence.

Normal T2-FLAIR and diffusion sequences of the brain, and normal 3D T2 acquisition of the posterior fossa.

Differential diagnosis

Ischemic stroke resulting in central facial palsy

Other etiologies of peripheral facial palsy, including cerebellopontine angle tumors (schwannoma, ...)