13 year-old with abrupt onset of left facial weakness
T1
coronals post Gad
T1 coronals post Gad
T1 axial post Gad
Findings:
Enhancement of
the left CN VII. Specifically the distal canalicular, the labyrinthine,
the tympanic, and the mastoid segments enhance.
DDX:
Bell's palsy, atypical schwanomma
Diagnosis:
Bell's palsy
Discussion:
Thin-section
contrast-enhanced MR scans are recommended for individuals with
atypical presentation of facial paralysis. In the proper clinical
setting, contrast-enhanced MR imaging may permit a positive
radiographic diagnosis of Bell's palsy, which has previously been a
diagnosis of exclusion.
Submitted by Anthony Giauque, MD, UW Neuroradiology Fellow
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