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There is no test that can prove you have Bell's palsy. But your doctor may advise you to have a scan to rule out other conditions that might make your face muscles get weak.¹

You might have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or acomputed tomography (CT) scan. Your doctor might ask you to have another test, called an electromyography test, to see what damage has been done to your facial nerve. This will probably happen only if you are considering having surgery on the nerve.

This is used to check for any abnormalities that might be causing your symptoms. You are put inside a machine that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to make a detailed map of the tissues of your brain. This can take about an hour.

A CT scan is a type of X-ray that uses a computer to get a more detailed picture of your head. It's a way to check for any problems that might be causing your symptoms.

In this test, the doctor will put a needle into one of the muscles in your face. The needle is an electrode, and it can detect the electricity being transmitted to the muscle from the nerve. This will show up on a screen.

It might hurt a bit when the needle is put in, and your face might feel bruised and tender for a few days afterward.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.