Bell’s palsy is acute facial palsy due to inflammation involving the facial nerve related to infections. Rates have not been noted to differ by ethnicity. We studied the lifetime prevalence in First Nations and all other Manitobans in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus aged 7 and older in 2013–2014 and 2016–2017. We found a crude lifetime prevalence of 9.9% [95% CI 9.4–10.4%] in the First Nations population versus 3.9% [95% CI 3.8–4.0%] in all other Manitobans. It is unknown if there were differences in glycemic control. The increased prevalence was found in all five provincial health regions. This study indicates that ethnicity may be an important risk factor for Bell’s palsy.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in Ontario, Canada between December 1, 2020 and June 31, 2021 to compare the incidence of neurological events (hospitalization or emergency room visit) within six weeks of COVID-19 vaccination in Chinese, South Asian and Other ethnic groups. Compared to Others, the crude rates after the first dose for Bell’s palsy, ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage were lower in Chinese (34, 159 and 48 per 1,000,000 doses) and in South Asians (44, 148 and 32), but similar after adjusting for age, sex and vaccine type. Our findings should help encourage vaccination for all, irrespective of ethnicity.

Introduction: The relative incidence of paediatric Bell’s palsy is two to four times less than the condition in adults. The number encountered in our otolaryngology department falls short of the above prediction. This could either reflect the general practitioners' (GPs) patterns of referral or a lower incidence in our locality.

Methods: Postal questionnaires were sent to our local GPs to determine their referral practice when managing children presenting with acute facial paralysis.

Results: Of 233 questionnaires, 172 (74 per cent) were returned and analysed. Fifty-four per cent of GPs referred their patients to the local paediatric services, 22 per cent to an otolaryngologist, and the remaining 24 per cent of GPs were confident in diagnosing and managing Bell's palsy in children themselves.

Discussion and Conclusion: Of the GPs surveyed 78 per cent did not refer children presenting with acute facial paralysis to an otolaryngologist. We suggest minimum investigations for acute facial paralysis in children before diagnosing Bell's palsy and stipulate otolaryngology referral for all.

A case of oculostapedial synkinesis occurring after Bell’s palsy is described. This rare phenomenon has not previously been reported following Bell’s palsy. The authors discuss the method of objectively proving the diagnosis, which can be difficult. The patient was successfully treated by stapedius tendon section under local anaesthesia.