Cranial nerve disease is an impaired functioning of one of the twelve cranial nerves. Although it could theoretically be considered a

mononeuropathy Peripheral neuropathy, often shortened to neuropathy, is a general term describing disease affecting the peripheral nerves, meaning nerves beyond the brain and spinal cord. Damage to peripheral nerves may impair sensation, movement, gland, or o ...

, it is not considered as such under MeSH. It is possible for a disorder of more than one cranial nerve to occur at the same time, if a trauma occurs at a location where many cranial nerves run together, such as the jugular fossa. A brainstem lesion could also cause impaired functioning of multiple cranial nerves, but this condition would likely also be accompanied by distal motor impairment. A neurological examination can test the functioning of individual cranial nerves, and detect specific impairments.

Facial nerve palsy

The facial nerve is the seventh of 12 cranial nerves. This cranial nerve controls the muscles in the face. Facial nerve palsy is more abundant in older adults than in children and is said to affect 15-40 out of 100,000 people per year. This disease comes in many forms which include

congenital A birth defect, also known as a congenital disorder, is an abnormal condition that is present at birth regardless of its cause. Birth defects may result in disabilities that may be physical, intellectual, or developmental. The disabilities can ...

, infectious, traumatic, neoplastic, or idiopathic. The most common cause of this cranial nerve damage is

Bell's palsy Bell's palsy is a type of facial paralysis that results in a temporary inability to control the facial muscles on the affected side of the face. In most cases, the weakness is temporary and significantly improves over weeks. Symptoms can vary fr ...

(idiopathic facial palsy) which is a paralysis of the facial nerve. Although Bell's palsy is more prominent in adults it seems to be found in those younger than 20 or older than 60 years of age. Bell's Palsy is thought to occur by an infection of the herpes virus which may cause demyelination and has been found in patients with facial nerve palsy. Symptoms include flattening of the forehead, sagging of the eyebrow, and difficulty closing the eye and the mouth on the side of the face that is affected. The inability to close the mouth causes problems in feeding and speech. It also causes lack of taste, lacrimation, and sialorrhea.Pavlou, E., Gkampeta, A., & Arampatzi, M. (2011). Facial nerve palsy in childhood. Brain and Development, 33(8), 644-650. The use of

steroids A steroid is a biologically active organic compound with four rings arranged in a specific molecular configuration. Steroids have two principal biological functions: as important components of cell membranes that alter membrane fluidity; and a ...

can help in the treatment of Bell's Palsy. If in the early stages, steroids can increase the likelihood of a full recovery. This treatment is used mainly in adults. The use of steroids in children has not been proven to work because they seem to recover completely with or without them. Children also tend to have better recovery rates than older adults. Recovery rate also depends on the cause of the facial nerve palsy (e.g. infections, perinatal injury, congenital dysplastic). If the palsy is more severe patients should seek steroids or surgical procedures. Facial nerve palsy may be the indication of a severe condition and when diagnosed a full clinical history and examination are recommended. Although rare, facial nerve palsy has also been found in patients with HIV

seroconversion In immunology, seroconversion is the development of specific antibodies in the blood serum as a result of infection or immunization, including vaccination. During infection or immunization, antigens enter the blood, and the adaptive immune system ...

. Symptoms found include headaches (bitemporal or occipital), the inability to close the eyes or mouth, and may cause the reduction of taste.Dolan, R., Maritz, D., Wallis, L., & Parak, M. (2011). Bilateral lower motor neuron facial nerve palsy due to HIV seroconversion. Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine, 12(1), 39-40.Ruiz, L. M., & Kirmani, B. (2012). Presentation of Bilateral Peripheral Seventh Cranial Nerve Palsy in an HIV Patient. Few cases of bilateral facial nerve palsy have been reported and is said to only effect 1 in every 5 million per year.

Others

* Eyes ** Oculomotor nerve palsy -

Oculomotor nerve The oculomotor nerve, also known as the third cranial nerve, cranial nerve III, or simply CN III, is a cranial nerve that enters the orbit through the superior orbital fissure and innervates extraocular muscles that enable most movements of ...

(III) ** Fourth nerve palsy - Trochlear nerve (IV) **

Sixth nerve palsy Sixth nerve palsy, or abducens nerve palsy, is a disorder associated with dysfunction of cranial nerve VI (the abducens nerve), which is responsible for causing contraction of the lateral rectus muscle to abduct (i.e., turn out) the eye. The ina ...

- Abducens nerve (VI) * Other ** Trigeminal neuralgia - Trigeminal nerve (V) ** Facial nerve paralysis,

Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome is a rare neurological disorder characterized by recurring facial paralysis, swelling of the face and lips (usually the upper lip: cheilitis granulomatosis) and the development of folds and furrows in the tongue (fi ...

, Central seven - Facial nerve (VII) **

Accessory nerve disorder Accessory nerve disorder is an injury to the spinal accessory nerve which results in diminished or absent function of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and upper portion of the trapezius muscle. Signs and symptoms Patients with spinal accessory nerv ...

- Accessory nerve (XI)

References

External links

{{Eye pathology Nerve, nerve root and plexus disorders