ABSTRACT
Bell’s palsy (idiopathic facial paralysis) was considered for a long time as the most common cause of facial paralysis but the developing methods of investigation tend to decrease the rate of idiopathic cases bringing into focus pathogens like Borrelia burgdorferi that causes Lyme disease. Although neuroborreliosis can be difficult to diagnose especially when facial palsy is the only sign, for better outcomes, practitioners should keep in mind this possible etiology in order to avoid mistaking Lyme associated facial palsy with Bell’s palsy. While antibiotic treatment (not necessary for Bell’s palsy) is needed to prevent progression of disseminated borreliosis in cases of Lyme disease related facial palsy, corticosteroids, which are the first therapy choice for Bell’s palsy, have been associated with worse outcomes in Lyme disease facial palsy.
Keywords: acute facial palsy, Borrelia burgdorferi.
Corresponding author:
Cristina M. GOANTA
Clinical Emergency Hospital “Sf. Pantelimon”, Bucharest, Romania
Email: cristina.goanta@gmail.com; Phone +40 723 648 919