[Etiology, investigation and therapy of facial nerve palsy].

: The authors give a description of the causes of the peripheral facial palsy (traumas, viral and bacterial infections, tumors and palsies of unknown origin). Emphasis is given to those anamnestic data, which are useful in the differential diagnostic procedure. Diagnostic methods (modern otologic investigation technics, imaging methods, electrodiagnostic tests), which may help in the precise diagnosis, are discussed. Authors survey the guidelines in the medical and surgical treatment, as well as the electrotherapy of the peripheral facial palsy. The prognostic factors of the disease are also discussed. The author's opinion, that the effectiveness of the treatment is good, and consequently to treat the patients is necessary, and gives high success rate to the doctor.