Question

Young adult w/ headache behind left ear. 2 days later twisting of face. Impaired taste sensation. Paralysis of forehead, lower face on left, incomplete closure of left eye w/ blinking. No sensory deficit or other cranial nerve deficit. MRI shows:

Answer 1

The patient's symptoms suggest Bell's palsy, a condition causing facial paralysis, commonly due to inflammation or damage to the facial nerve. The specific signs of facial muscle weakness, impaired taste, and inability to fully close the eye align with this diagnosis, and an MRI would be used to rule out other causes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question involves a young adult experiencing a headache behind the left ear followed by twisting of the face, impaired taste, and paralysis of the forehead and lower face on the left side, which includes incomplete closure of the left eye upon blinking. There is no mention of sensory deficits or other cranial nerve deficits, and an MRI scan has been performed. This clinical presentation is highly suggestive of Bell's palsy, a type of facial paralysis typically caused by inflammation or damage to the facial nerve. The impaired taste and inability to close the eye are classic signs. The absence of sensory deficits or other cranial nerve involvement helps to rule out other potential causes like a stroke or brain tumor. The MRI would help to exclude structural causes for these symptoms.