Conclusions
Neoplastic etiology should always be considered as a cause of irreversible FNP that originally seemed Bell’s. Our experience shows that FNP can be a revelator of the malignant tumor located in the deep lobe of the parotid gland. Contrast-enhanced MRI covering intra- and extracranial segments of facial nerve should be ordered in all cases of FNP without recovery after 4 months. Repeated imaging should be considered in undiagnosed cases. The main point of our study is to underline that the assessment of the deep lobe of the parotid gland with MRI should be included in the standard diagnostic protocol in all irreversible “Bell’s palsy” cases.