Cranial mononeuropathy VII

Alternative names:

neuropathy - facial

Treatment:

Treatment of the cause (if it can be identified) may relieve symptoms for some people. Corticosteroids may reduce swelling and relieve pressure on the facial nerve. In most cases, no treatment is required and the disorder will disappear spontaneously.

Lubricating eye drops or eye ointments may be recommended to protect the eye if it cannot be closed completely.

The eye may need to be patched during sleep to protect it.

Sugary to decompress the facial nerve may (rarely) be recommended.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome varies. Some patients recover completely; others experience a permanent loss of facial movement.

Complications:

• disfigurement from loss of facial movement
• damage to the eye (corneal ulcers and infections)
• chronic spasm of face muscles or eyelids
• chronic taste abnormalities
• aberrant regeneration (nerves grow back to the wrong structures--for example, smiling causes the eye to close)

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if facial drooping or other symptoms of cranial mononeuropathy VII occur.