title: Unilateral facial nerve paralysis following an infected lower third molar.
abstract: The authors report the case of a 35-year-old Arab man who presented with unilateral facial nerve palsy in the presence of an infected lower third molar. The paralysis occurred within hours of the development of a left-sided facial swelling. Surgical removal of the tooth and drainage of the abscess produced significant improvement in facial nerve function, and total resolution occurred prior to clinical follow-up 10 days later. The authors discuss the aetiology of this hemifacial paralysis and its significance as a clinical sign of third molar odontogenic infection.
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic, Dental & Maxillofacial Centre, Royal Medical Services, Bahrain Defence Force Hospital, Bahrain. mohammed@al-muharraqi.com
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Al-Muharraqi
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000150:complications; D004322:Drainage; D005155:Facial Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery