Symptoms of central facial palsy

  Central facial palsy injury site is mainly on one side of the cerebral cortex or cortical brainstem bundle, resulting in paralysis of the lower facial expression muscles on the opposite side of the lesion. The common clinical symptoms are shallowing of the nasolabial fold, drooping of the corners of the mouth, deviation of the corners of the mouth toward the healthy limb when opening the mouth and smiling, but the frontal lines do not disappear, and the function of closing the eyes is normal.  Because central facial palsy causes paralysis of the lower facial muscles such as the buccal muscles, orbicularis oris muscle, patients may have symptoms such as slurred lip sounds, food remaining between the buccal muscles and the gums, and drooping corners of the mouth, etc. The corners of the mouth may also tug toward the healthy side when showing the teeth or smiling, and when doing cheek puffing or blowing, the affected facial muscles may show leakage due to weakness. Because central facial palsy only causes paralysis of the facial expression muscles below the lid fissure on the opposite side of the lesion, it is possible to frown, lift the eyebrows and close the eyes above the lid fissure, and the height of the eyebrows and the size of the lid fissure are the same as on the opposite side. Central facial palsy is usually accompanied by ipsilateral limb paralysis, abnormal tendon reflexes, positive Babinski’s sign, and slurred speech, but patients usually do not have taste, tear, or salivary secretion disorders or hearing changes.  Central facial palsy is mostly caused by cerebrovascular lesions, the primary disease should be treated, and corresponding drugs can be given for treatment, such as aspirin, clopidogrel and other drugs for antiplatelet therapy in patients with cerebral infarction; for example, patients with cerebral hemorrhage can be given fisetin and vitamin K1 to control bleeding, along with antihypertensive drugs such as labetalol and enalapril. At the same time with acupuncture, physiotherapy, hot compresses and other treatments, the nerve function of the face can be gradually restored.