title: Multiple recurrences of ipsilateral facial palsy in a patient with widening of the facial canal.
abstract: The incidence of facial palsy (FP) is 6-12/100,000 in children, however only one in twenty experience recurrences. This report describes the clinical approach and diagnostic considerations in a child with multiple ipsilateral FP. The first occurrence of FP in conjunction with fever occurred at age 13 months, and was succeeded by more than 20 recurrences. Imaging revealed widening of the facial canal along with thickening of the facial nerve, allowing collateral inflammation and edema to induce pressure on the nerve. This is the first case describing the association between an abnormally widened facial canal and recurrent FP in childhood.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Hobrovej 18-22, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Building 10, 1st Floor, Noerrebrogade 44, 8000 Aarhus C., Denmark; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Brendstrupgaardsvej 100, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. Electronic address: csa@clin.au.dk.
authors.forename: Christer Swan
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Andreassen
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Building 10, 1st Floor, Noerrebrogade 44, 8000 Aarhus C., Denmark; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Brendstrupgaardsvej 100, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. Electronic address: theroves@rm.dk.
authors.forename: Therese
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ovesen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012008:Recurrence; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: CT; Child; Facial canal; MRI; Recurrent facial nerve palsy