Total decompression of facial nerve for Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is a rare condition characterized by recurrent facial paralysis in addition to various orofacial manifestations. The condition appears to be a granulomatous disorder causing oedema and inflammation of the soft tissues of the face, lips, oral cavity and particularly, the facial nerve. There is general agreement that the symptoms and signs resolve spontaneously, aided perhaps by an empirical course of oral steroids. However, in some patients the condition may be progressive, leading to disfiguring facial synkinesis and increasing residual paralysis. There is anecdotal evidence in the literature to suggest that surgical decompression of the facial nerve in its entire intratemporal course may prevent further attacks of facial paralysis and its sequelae. We present here our experience with surgical decompression of the facial nerve in a 27-year-old woman with MRS who had sufferent recurrent left-sided facial palsy since the age of four. A review of the literature pertaining to facial nerve decompression for Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome is presented.