Radiation Exposure and Bell's Palsy: A Hypothetical Association

Bell's palsy is an idiopathic peripheral nerve palsy involving the facial nerve. It accounts for 60 to 75% of all cases of unilateral facial paralysis. The main mechanisms to induce BP remain unclear, but infection, ischemic condition and immunodeficiency may contribute to the development of Bell's palsy. Accumulating evidence has shown several factors can trigger the reactivation of latent HSV including psychological stressors, physical stressors and immunosuppression. Ionization and non-ionization radiations are of importance of physical stressors. Some data have shown radiation can reactivate HSVs. Based on preliminary studies showing radiation reactivation of HSVs, we aimed to hypothesize radiation (in both forms of ionization and non-ionization) may cause Bell's palsy. In the future, the role of radiotherapy, radiofrequency radiation from mobile phones and wireless devices in HSV reactivation and Bell's palsy should be investigated.