Diagnostic Tests for Bell's Palsy
Bell's Palsy: Diagnostic Tests
The list of diagnostic tests
mentioned in various sources as
used in the diagnosis of Bell's Palsy
includes:
Bell's Palsy Tests: Book Excerpts
Home Diagnostic Testing
These home medical tests may be relevant to Bell's Palsy:
- Nerve Neuropathy: Related Home Testing:
Bell's Palsy Diagnosis: Book Excerpts
Diagnostic Tests for Bell's Palsy: Online Medical Books
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Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the diagnostic tests for Bell's Palsy.
FACIAL PARALYSIS:
DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
(Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
Immediate referral to a neurologist is indicated. One should do a complete examination of the ear, nose, and throat to determine if there is any rupture of the drum, discharge, evidence of otitis media, etc. Then x-rays of the mastoids and petrous bones should be done along with tomography. A CT scan of the brain with emphasis on the internal auditory foramina should be done if acoustic neuroma is suspected. Culture of the discharge from the ears and blood culture should be done if there are associated signs of an infectious process. Testing for Lyme disease may be indicated. Spinal fluid analysis should be done to look for Guillain-Barré syndrome. If myasthenia gravis is suspected, a Tensilon test may be done. Spinal fluid culture should be done in cases of brain abscess. Carotid scans and a workup for an embolic source should be done in cases of cerebral vascular accident. Of course, when there is a brain tumor or abscess or a cerebral vascular accident is suspected, CT scans of the brain should be done. If these are not helpful or are inconclusive, MRI of the brain can be done. Glucose tolerance testing should be done to rule out diabetic neuropathy. If lead poisoning is suspected, a blood level for lead should be done.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, 2003
Drooling:
History and physical examination
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
If you observe the patient drooling, first determine the amount. Is it scant or copious? When did it begin? Ask the patient if his pillow is wet in the morning. Also, inspect for circumoral irritation.
Then explore associated signs and symptoms. Ask about sore throat and difficulty swallowing, chewing, speaking, or breathing. Have the patient describe pain or stiffness in the face and neck and muscle weakness in the face and extremities. Has he noticed mental status changes, such as drowsiness or agitation? Ask about changes in vision, hearing, and sense of taste. Also, ask about anorexia, weight loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and altered bowel or bladder habits. Has the patient recently had a cold or other infection? Was he recently bitten by an animal or exposed to pesticides? Finally, obtain a complete drug history.
Next, perform a physical examination. Take the patient's vital signs. Inspect for signs of facial paralysis or abnormal expression. Examine the mouth and neck for swelling, the throat for edema and redness, and the tonsils for exudate. Note foul breath odor. Examine the tongue for bilateral furrowing (trident tongue). Look for pallor and skin lesions and for frontal baldness. Carefully assess any bite or puncture marks.
Assess cranial nerves II through VII, IX, and X. Then check pupillary size and response to light. Assess the patient's speech. Evaluate muscle strength, and palpate for tenderness or atrophy. Also, palpate for lymphadenopathy, especially in the cervical area. Observe the patient's ability to swallow, and assess his gag reflex. Test for poor balance, hyperreflexia, and a positive Babinski's reflex. Also, assess sensory function for paresthesia.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Drooling:
History and physical examination
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
If you observe the patient drooling, first determine the amount. Is it scant or copious? When did it begin? Ask the patient if his pillow is wet in the morning. Also, inspect for circumoral irritation.
Then explore associated signs and symptoms. Ask about sore throat and difficulty swallowing, chewing, speaking, or breathing. Have the patient describe any pain or stiffness in the face and neck and any muscle weakness in the face and extremities. Has he noticed any mental status changes, such as drowsiness or agitation? Ask about changes in vision, hearing, and sense of taste. Also ask about anorexia, weight loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and altered elimination habits. Has the patient recently had a cold or other infection? Was he recently bitten by an animal or exposed to pesticides? Finally, obtain a complete drug history.
Next, perform a physical examination, starting with vital signs. Inspect the face for signs of paralysis or an abnormal expression. Examine the mouth and neck for swelling, the throat for edema and redness, and the tonsils for exudate. Note halitosis. Examine the tongue for bilateral furrowing (trident tongue). Look for pallor, skin lesions, and frontal baldness. Carefully assess any bite or puncture marks.
Assess cranial nerves II through VII, IX, and X. Then check pupillary size and response to light. Assess the patient’s speech. Evaluate muscle strength and palpate for tenderness or atrophy. Also palpate for lymphadenopathy, especially in the cervical area. Observe the patient’s ability to swallow. Test for poor balance, hyperreflexia, and a positive Babinski’s reflex. Also, assess sensory function for paresthesia.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Drooling:
History and physical examination
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
If you observe the patient drooling, first determine the amount. Is it scant or copious? When did it begin? Ask the patient if his pillow is wet in the morning. Also, inspect for circumoral irritation.
Then explore associated signs and symptoms. Ask about sore throat and difficulty swallowing, chewing, speaking, or breathing. Have the patient describe pain or stiffness in the face and neck and muscle weakness in the face and extremities. Has he noticed mental status changes, such as drowsiness or agitation? Ask about changes in vision, hearing, and sense of taste. Also ask about anorexia, weight loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and altered bowel or bladder habits. Has the patient recently had a cold or other infection? Was he recently bitten by an animal or exposed to pesticides? Finally, obtain a complete drug history.
Next, perform a physical examination. Take the patient's vital signs. Inspect for signs of facial paralysis or abnormal expression. Examine the mouth and neck for swelling, the throat for edema and redness, and the tonsils for exudate. Note foul breath odor. Examine the tongue for bilateral furrowing (trident tongue). Look for pallor and skin lesions and for frontal baldness. Carefully assess any bite or puncture marks.
Assess cranial nerves II through VII, IX, and X. Then check pupillary size and response to light. Assess the patient's speech. Evaluate muscle strength, and palpate for tenderness or atrophy. Also, palpate for lymphadenopathy, especially in the cervical area. Observe the patient's ability to swallow, and assess his gag reflex. Test for poor balance, hyperreflexia, and a positive Babinski's reflex. Also, assess sensory function for paresthesia.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
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