Differential diagnosis of recurrent or bilateral peripheral facial palsy

Objective: To describe the differential diagnosis of recurrent or bilateral peripheral facial palsy. Method: Case report and literature review. Results: Two patients with recurrent, alternating, peripheral facial palsy are described. In both patients, additional investigation was performed to search for a specific diagnosis. In the first patient, only a positive family history was found, indicating a possible familial susceptibility. In the other patient, diabetes mellitus and hypertension were identified as risk factors. Conclusion: There is an important and extensive differential diagnosis of recurrent or bilateral facial palsy. However, in a large proportion of patients the cause remains unknown.