[Otoneurological manifestations of Lyme's disease]

Infection with Borrelia burgdorferi is responsible for Lyme disease, an uncommon disorder in our country. It should be stressed that any of the neurologic manifestations of this disease may occur alone and may be the presenting manifestation of the illness. Several reports suggest that 1/4 of idiopathic Bell's palsies can be associated with this infection and in Europe is the most common cause of childhood facial nerve paresis. The same disease has been related to sudden deafness and vertigo cases. For its important therapeutic and prognostic implications the diagnosis of a Lyme disease must be taken into account in every case of peripheral facial nerve palsy, specially in children, in bilateral or recurrent cases and in those cases associated to other cranial neuritis or general manifestations.