02 June 2009
Bilateral facial paralysis associated with unilateral abducens palsy following head injury: A case report
Nilgun Senol, Kudret Tureyen, Berkant SahinAm J Case Rep 2009; 10:84-87 :: ID: 869685
Abstract
Background: Cranial nerve lesions often accompany head trauma. Olfactory, facial and vestibular nerves are the most commonly injured nerves, but bilateral facial palsy is an extremely rare clinical entity, accounting for about 1.2% of all facial palsies. Trauma, that can often be associated with fractures of the skull base and temporal bones, only rarely causes bilateral facial palsy. Facial electromyography takes at least 72 hours to become abnormal. Abducens nerve injury is observed in 2.7% of patients with head trauma. Abducens palsy, associated with bilateral traumatic facial paralysis, is even rarer.
Case Report: A 59-year-old woman with a history of motor vehicle accident (MVA) is presented. She had bilateral facial and left abducens paralyses. Cranial computerized tomography revealed a bilateral temporal bone fractures, and pneumocephalus. Six days after the trauma bilateral facial electroneuromyography was done and no potential was demonstrated. Facial nerve functions improved with steroid therapy.
Conclusions: Bilateral traumatic facial paralysis is a rare clinical entity and if there is no surgical indication, tends to resolve with a prolonged course of steroids.
Keywords: abducens palsy, bilateral facial paralysis, head trauma
In Press
26 Jan 2023 : Case report
Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.938169
26 Jan 2023 : Case report
Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.939026
26 Jan 2023 : Case report
Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.938982
26 Jan 2023 : Case report
Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.938850
Most Viewed Current Articles
13 Jul 2022 : Case report
DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936441
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936441
06 Dec 2021 : Case report
DOI :10.12659/AJCR.934406
Am J Case Rep 2021; 22:e934406
23 Feb 2022 : Case report
DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935250
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935250
17 Feb 2022 : Case report
DOI :10.12659/AJCR.934399
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e934399