Facial palsy associated with acute otitis media.
OBJECTIVE
Facial palsy secondary to acute otitis media is rarely encountered today. The aim of the present study was to review the characteristics of the disease and propose the proper management.


METHODS
File review. Setting University-affiliated tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Disease course, management and outcome were recorded.


RESULTS
Sixty-five children with facial palsy were identified, of whom 13 (20%) had acute otitis media. The otitis media preceded the facial palsy in all cases by 1 to 21 days (average 5 days). House-Brackmann grade ranged from 2 to 5 (average 3.5). The recovery period was varied and unpredictable, ranging in duration from 1 to 180 days (average 68 days). Treatment was conservative, except for insertion of a ventilation tube in 2 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering that all the patients recovered, conservative treatment, including myringotomy and intravenous antibiotics, may be the correct approach to facial palsy associated with acute otitis media.
Popovtzer
Aron
A
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, ENT Unit, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tikva, Israel. bennyn@clalit.org.il
Raveh
Eyal
E
Bahar
Gideon
G
Oestreicher-Kedem
Yael
Y
Feinmesser
Rafael
R
Nageris
Ben I
BI
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome