Bilateral facial nerve palsy: a case study and literature review.
Facial diplegia is a rare clinical finding and can be the presenting complaint in a wide spectrum of diseases. This paper describes a case of bilateral facial palsy occurring in a diabetic patient. Electroneurographic studies demonstrated severe acute denervation of both facial nerves and a widespread polyneuropathy. A gallium scan revealed hilar and paratracheal lymphadenopathy. Heerfordt's syndrome was suspected; however, histological confirmation of sarcoidosis has not been obtained. The patient was treated with high dose steroid therapy and has made an almost complete recovery after six months. A review of the literature is discussed with particular reference to the differential diagnosis in this patient.
D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000175:diagnosis; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis