TranslateLower Motor Neuron Facial palsy
Outpatients | Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)
This condition is treated in the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) clinic.
Pre-referral work-up
History
All referrals should comply to the referral standards and include:
- Weakness or paralysis of movement of all (or some) of the face
- Description of weakness or paralysis of movement of all (or some) of the face
- No sparing of forehead muscle weakness
- Associated features such as otalgia, otorrhoea, vesicles, parotid mass or tympanic membrane abnormality,
- History of preceding viral illness such as Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
Interim/GP management
To refer a patient with this condition, please see the ENT clinic page for the full referral process and templates.
Bell's palsy is idiopathic facial palsy and therefore a diagnosis of exclusion:
- If sparing of forehead muscles, consider stroke or other central causes
- Steroid therapy may be initiated if no associated findings
- Consider anti-viral treatment if associated with vesicles
- Protection of the eye from a corneal abrasion is paramount. Apply Lacrilube and tape the eye shut at night
Direct link to Health Pathways - Bell's Palsy page
For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.
Clinic appointments
🚩 Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.
Emergency
🚩 Contact ENT OPD
If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.
Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.
Availability
North
Launceston General Hospital
Level 3 - Specialist Clinics
Phone: 1300 977 694
Fax: 03 6777 5227
North West
Unavailable.
See HealthPathways Tasmania for more information
South
Wellington Clinics
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 9454
To contact the on-call ENT Registrar, phone the switchboard on 03 6166 8308.
