Conclusions
Neoplastic etiology should always
be considered as a cause of irreversible FNP that originally seemed
Bell’s. Our experience shows that FNP can be a revelator of the
malignant tumor located in the deep lobe of the parotid gland.
Contrast-enhanced MRI covering intra- and extracranial segments of
facial nerve should be ordered in all cases of FNP without recovery
after 4 months. Repeated imaging should be considered in undiagnosed
cases. The main point of our study is to underline that the assessment
of the deep lobe of the parotid gland with MRI should be included in the
standard diagnostic protocol in all irreversible “Bell’s palsy” cases.