title: Facial palsy caused by otitis media with effusion: the pathophysiology discussed.
abstract: Facial palsy resulting from a sterile middle-ear effusion is very rare. A case in a 7-year-old child who recovered normal facial nerve function after myringotomy is presented. The differential diagnosis and treatment are discussed with reference to the proposed pathophysiology. The message of this report is that when otitis media with effusion is complicated by facial palsy, urgent myringotomy is essential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Whipps Cross Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Prior
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology