Bell’s palsy: grading systems
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Bell’s palsy: grading systems. I: normal facial function, II: mild dysfunction, III: moderate dysfunction. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
Brackman House grading system
- I: normal facial function
- II: mild dysfunction
- III: moderate dysfunction
- IV: moderately severe dysfunction
- V: severe dysfunction
- VI: total paralysis
Other grading systems
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Synonyms
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References
- House JW, Brackmann DE. Facial nerve grading system. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1985; 93:146-147.
- Coulson SE, Croxson GR, Adams RD, O'Dwyer NJ. Reliability of the "Sydney," "Sunnybrook," and "House Brackmann" facial grading systems to assess voluntary movement and synkinesis after facial nerve paralysis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2005; 132:543-549.
- Berg T, Jonsson L, Engström M. Agreement between the Sunnybrook, House-Brackmann, and Yanagihara facial nerve grading systems in Bell's palsy. Otol Neurotol 2004; 25:1020-1026.
- Lewis BI, Adour KK. An analysis of the Adour-Swanson and House-Brackmann grading systems for facial nerve recovery. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 1995; 252:265-269.
- Tiemstra JD, Khatkhate N. Bell's palsy: diagnosis and management. Am Fam Physician 2007; 76:997-1002.
