Otologic facial palsy: etiology, onset, and symptom duration

To estimate the occurrence of otogenic facial palsy, we performed a retrospective case record study of all patients hospitalized for otogenic facial palsy in the period 1989 to 1999 at Ullevål University Hospital, which is the only referral hospital for patients with otologic sequelae in Oslo. The facial palsy was a complication of acute otitis media in 10 patients (56%), of acute mastoiditis in 3 patients (17%), of secretory otitis media in 3 patients (17%), and of chronic otitis media in 2 patients (11%). In half of the patients, complete facial palsy was found at the time of diagnosis. Sixteen patients (89%) reported a gradual onset of the facial palsy. The mean duration of otologic symptoms before the onset of facial palsy was 3 days (range, 1 to 9 days), and the median time to remission was 9 weeks (range, 2 to 96 weeks). Total remission was achieved in all patients who received follow-up. Although most patients recover within a few weeks, some patients have long-lasting facial palsy. Multicenter studies are needed to increase the sample size and to identify predictors of facial palsy duration.