Presentation
Bell's palsy on the right side of the face.
Patient Data
Age: 55 years
Gender: Female
From the case:
Right facial nerve neuritis
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Asymmetric enhancement of the facial nerve, demonstrating the right side much greater enhancement than the left, along the entire length of the right facial nerve from de CPA portion, extending to the geniculate ganglion and anteriorly along the greater superficial petrosal nerve until the parotid segment.
There is no focal or diffuse expansion along the right facial nerve.
Case Discussion
Facial neuritis (Bell's palsy) is mainly a clinical diagnosis, however, MRI may be useful as an additional tool for assessment. Uniform long segment enhancement of the facial nerve is the main imaging characteristic of facial nerve palsy.