The most accurate clinical examination for facial paralysis is not available, and commonly includes physical examination, neurophysiologic examination, imaging examination, and laboratory examination.
1. Physical examination: To see if the patient has the typical symptoms of the disease, such as crooked mouth, leakage of wind in speech and other symptoms. The doctor will ask the patient to do eyebrow lifting, frowning, eye closing and cheek puffing to see if the patient can complete the movements. If the patient is unable to complete the above movements, it is initially determined that there is a possibility of facial nerve palsy.
2. Neurophysiological examination: Neurophysiological examination is mainly used to assess the degree of damage to the facial nerve, which helps the doctor to determine the possibility of full recovery of the facial nerve function and whether it is necessary to carry out facial nerve decompression surgery.
3. Imaging tests: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or CT scanning can be used to observe the presence of brain tumors, strokes, and other diseases that may lead to facial paralysis, and help to identify the cause of the disease.
4. Laboratory tests: Routine laboratory tests are performed to help the doctor identify the cause of facial nerve palsy. If Lyme disease is suspected to be the cause of facial nerve palsy, serologic tests may be performed.
If the patient has symptoms such as leakage of speech, crooked mouth, inability to blink, difficulty in closing the eyes, drooling, etc., it is recommended that the patient go to the Neurology Department in time to avoid adverse consequences.