Aims: To study Aetiology of lower Motor Neuron facial paralysis in rural area. Settings and Design: Prospective cross sectional study. Methods and Material: Total 78 patients presenting with LMN type of facial paralysis to ENT OPD from Nov 2013 to Nov 2015 were included. Detailed evaluation to find aetiopathogenesis, age and sex distribution, severity at presentation in different aetiologies was carried out. Results: Bells paralysis was commonest aetiology in present study, followed by otitis Media. Trauma was only third aetiological factor. Vehicular trauma leading to facial palsy was found in males only. Common age of presentation was 2140 years however patients with Heres zoster presented in 4060 age group. Traumatic facial palsy was more common in 3140 age group. Patients with Bells paralysis presented with lower HB grades while those with otitis Media, Herpes zoster and trauma presented with higher grades of palsy at presentation. Conclusion: Aetiological Profile of patients with facial palsy is markedly different in rural area Otitis Media is still an important cause of facial palsy with patientspresenting late in course if disease. Tuberculosis is still rarely seen as cause of facial palsy and trauma is more common cause of facial palsy in males.

Keyword: Facial Nerve Paralysis; Bells Paralysis; Aetiology.