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
Case report
Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.947344
Case report
Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.946589
Case report
Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.947316
Case report
Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.947693
Most Viewed Current Articles
21 Jun 2024 : Case report
100,250
DOI :10.12659/AJCR.944371
Am J Case Rep 2024; 25:e944371
07 Mar 2024 : Case report
53,680
DOI :10.12659/AJCR.943133
Am J Case Rep 2024; 25:e943133
20 Nov 2023 : Case report
36,071
DOI :10.12659/AJCR.941424
Am J Case Rep 2023; 24:e941424
07 Jul 2023 : Case report
24,897
DOI :10.12659/AJCR.940200
Am J Case Rep 2023; 24:e940200