OBJECTIVETo observe the ways of diagnosis and treatment of bilateral facial nerve palsy.

METHODSSeven cases of bilateral facial nerve paralysis in 1996 - 2003 were retrospectively reviewed, and then the ways of diagnosis and therapies of these cases were analyzed. There were 6 patients with doubtless diagnosis. They were diagnosed as acute leukaemia, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH), Machado-Jesoph disease, bilateral mandible fractures, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and Bell's palsy. The last one was diagnosed as Herpes zoster virus infection or Lyme disease. In all these cases, there were 4 of 5 positive cerebrospinal fluids test, 1 of 6 positive lyme antibody test, 2 of 5 positive images test, 7 of 7 EMG and Br test showed that the paralysis was peripheral palsy. All the 7 cases were treated with steroid and vitamin.

RESULTSHouse-Brackmann I was defined as complete recovery, after up to 2 months follow up, there were four cases got completely recovery while 2 cases incomplete recovery, and 1 case was not reacted to the therapy.

CONCLUSIONSBilateral facial nerve paralysis was rare, and it was difficult to diagnosis and differentiation, while diagnostic mistakes would be serious. More attention should be paid to it in clinic.