Can acute otitis media cause facial palsy?

Can acute otitis media cause facial palsy?

Facial nerve palsy has become an uncommon complication of acute otitis media in the recent era, with an estimated incidence of about 0.005% [1]. It was a very common complication in the pre-antibiotic era, with an estimated incidence of around 0.5–0.7% [1].

How does otitis media cause facial nerve palsy?

In patients with invasive OM (especially OM with cholesteatoma), infection and inflammation of the facial nerve leads to edema and nerve fiber compression that causes facial paralysis. The facial nerve courses through the temporal bone in the fallopian canal, protected by bone and epineurium.

Can otitis media cause Bell’s palsy?

Infection in or around the facial nerve such as in acute otitis media or herpes varicella-zoster oticus can also cause a facial palsy. However, when no cause is found, the condition is called idiopathic or Bell’s palsy.

Can an ear infection cause facial paralysis?

Acute or chronic middle ear infections occasionally cause a weakness of the face due to swelling or direct pressure on the nerve. In acute infections the weakness usually subsides as the infection is controlled and the swelling around the nerve subsides.

Can otitis media cause facial swelling?

In very rare cases, the swelling associated with otitis media can cause the facial nerve to become compressed.

Can an ear infection affect the nerves in your face?

What causes facial nerve inflammation?

There are numerous causes of facial nerve disorder: Trauma such as birth trauma, skull base fractures, facial injuries, middle ear injuries, or surgical trauma. Nervous system disease including stroke involving the brain stem. Infection of the ear or face, or herpes zoster of the facial nerve (Ramsay Hunt syndrome)

How is facial nerve palsy diagnosed?

There’s no specific test for Bell’s palsy. Your doctor will look at your face and ask you to move your facial muscles by closing your eyes, lifting your brow, showing your teeth and frowning, among other movements.

What is the difference between Bell’s palsy and facial palsy?

Essentially, Bell’s palsy is a diagnosis of exclusion for peripheral facial palsy. If none of the known causes can be confirmed, then the facial palsy is considered idiopathic, i.e. “from unclear or undetermined causes”.

What are the symptoms of facial palsy?

What are the symptoms of facial paralysis?

• facial paralysis on one side (rarely are both sides of the face affected)
• loss of blinking control on the affected side.
• decreased tearing.
• drooping of the mouth to the affected side.
• altered sense of taste.
• slurred speech.
• drooling.
• pain in or behind the ear.