The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by facial nerve palsy:
Eyes and eye appendages (H00-H59).
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye syndrome).
- Ulcus corneae (corneal ulcer) due toincomplete lid closure’ and pathologically altered tear film; bes. with hypesthesia (reduced sensitivity) of the cornea (about 10% of cases).
Psyche – Nervous System (F00-F99; G00-G99).
- Articulation disorders – deviations in the pronunciation of sounds or sound compounds due to speech motor problems.
- Cranial nerve involvement:
- IV: Trochlear nerve, controls the oblique superior eye muscle.
- V: trigeminal nerve, transmits sensitive information from the whole facial area to the brain and innervates the masticatory muscles.
- X: vagus nerve; main nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system, is involved in regulating the activity of many internal organs.
- Facialis contracture (constant tension of the facial muscles).
- Crocodile tear phenomenon (gustatory crying) – unilateral flow of tears, which usually occurs during food intake
- Synkinesias – pathological co-movements.
Further
- Insufficient mouth closure due to the “hanging corner of the mouth” makes it difficult to seal the mouth (= oral incontinence), which affects drinking, for example.
- Food remains in the cheek pocket
