A rare complication of acute otitis media in childhood: peripheral facial palsy

doi:10.15406/ipmrj.2018.03.00073

eISSN: 2574-9838

International Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Journal

Case Report Volume 3 Issue 1

A rare complication of acute otitis media in childhood: peripheral facial palsy

Canan Celik, Adem Turkoz, Elif Uysal, Ilker Ilhanl , Fazil Kulakli

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Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Giresun University, Turkey

Correspondence: Fazil Kulakli, MD, Asst. Prof, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Giresun University Dr Ilhan Ozdemir Training and Research Hospital, Giresun, Turkey, Tel 904543101600, Fax 9.04543E+11

Received: January 02, 2017 | Published: January 24, 2018

Citation: Çelik C, Türköz A, Uysal, et al. A rare complication of acute otitis media in childhood: peripheral facial palsy. Int Phys Med Rehab J. 2018;3(1):47-48. DOI: 10.15406/ipmrj.2018.03.00073

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Introduction

Peripheral facial paralysis (PFP) is rarely seen in childhood. It is not frequently observed in pediatric emergency services. The incidence rate of PFP in children varies from 5 to 21:100,000/year. It is mostly seen between 5 and 11 years of age and there is no significant difference between the male and female.¹ Bell’s palsy (idiopathic) is postulated in 26-76% of all cases.^2,3 Infectious, neoplastic, traumatic, iatrogenic, toxic, syndrome(e.g. Melkerssone Rosenthal Syndrome, Möbius Syndrome), neuroinflammatory, hypertensive and other reasons are among etiologic causes.^4,5 The most common proven etiology is Lyme borreliosis causing 30% to more than 50% of all cases, depending on the season.¹ PFP may present as a rare complication of acute otitis media (AOM). AOM is the second most common infectious disease after acute tonsillopharyngitis in childhood. The frequent use of antibiotics reduces the incidence of intracranial and extracranial complications secondary to AOM.⁶ Anti-biotherapy, steroid treatment, exercise and physical therapy modalities are recommended for treatment of PFP secondary to AOM.

The 14-month-old girl was brought to our outpatient clinic by her mother with the complaints of failure to close her right eye and asymmetry on her face. On physical examination, the patient was not able to pull the right lip corner during crying, the right nasolabial sulcus was faint, the right eye could not be closed, and there was no blink reflex (Figure 1). The patient was diagnosed as stage V PFP according to the Hause-Brackman classification (Table 1). Consultations on pediatrics, otorhinolaryngology and ophthalmology were requested and after evaluations PFP secondary to AOM was detected in the patient and antibiotic and steroid treatments were started by otorhinolaryngologist. Treatment including hot compress and massage were suggested to the patient and the family was educated regarding these modalities and home exercise program. She responded the treatment in a short period and after a three weeks period perceivable improvement was obtained with these modalities (Stage II according to the House-Brackman classification, (Figure 2) and oral medication was stopped stepwise while other modalities were continued. Written consent was obtained from the parents.

Figure 1 Before treatment (stage V PFP according to the house-brackman scale).

Figure 2 After treatment (stage II PFP according to the house-brackman scale).

Characteristics
Grade	Description	Gross	At Rest	Motion	Estimated- function (%) 11)0 80
i	normal	normal	normal	normal	100
ii	mild dysfunction	slight weakness noticeable on dose inspection, may have very slight synkinesis	normal symmetry & tone	forehead: moderate to good function: eye: complete Closure w/ minimum effort mouth: Slight asymmetry	80
iii	moderate dysfunction	Obvious but not drshguring Terence between 2 sides; noticeable but not severe synkinesis, contracture. and/ or hemifacial spasm	normal symmetry & tone	Forehead' slight to moderate movement, eye: complete closure vii1 effort: mouth. slightly weak w/ maximum effort	60
iv	moderately severe dysfunction	obvious weakness and/or disfiguring asymmetry	normal symmetry & tone	forehead: none: eye: incomplete closure: mouth: asymmetric w/ maximum effort	40
v	severe dysfunction	only barely perceptible motion	asymmetry	forehead: none: eye: incomplete closure; mouth slight movement	20
vi	Total paralysis	no movement	asymmetry	no movement	0

Table 1 House brackmen scale

We considered the patient as PFP due to AOM. Mainly affecting the tympanic cavity and mastoid, while structures adjacent to the middle ear such as facial nerve bony canal may also be affected by the inflammatory process and this effect may result in facial paralysis.⁷ There are few known etiologies of this condition, but some hypotheses described below may explain the situation.

Retrograde infection within the facial nerve bony canal or retrograde infection within the tympanic cavity ascending the chorda tympani to the facial nerve.⁸
Reactivation of latent virus infection caused by middle ear suppuration.⁹
Demyelination of the facial nerve secondary to the presence of bacterial toxins.¹⁰
Acute neuritis with venous thrombosis leading to inflammatory edema of the nerve.¹¹
Because the prevalence of PFP secondary to AOM is low, the choice of treatment is also difficult. Most authors recommend aggressive antibiotic therapy (The most common agents are Streptococcus Pneumoniae and Haemophilus Influenzae) and myringotomy therapy with or without tube insertion.⁶ In addition, steroid treatment is also recommended for facial paralysis.¹²

Conclusion

With this case, it is emphasized that PFP occur rarely after AOM and can respond the early treatment. PFP which is rarely seen in childhood may present as a rare complication of AOM. The treatment including antibiotics, exercise, hot compress and massage can be used to get early response.