[Case report: isolated facial paralysis with a tick.].

Area of Science:

• Medical Entomology
• Neurology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Tick-borne diseases pose a growing global health concern, with significant increases in disease and death rates reported in Turkey in 2008.
• While numerous tick-transmitted diseases exist in Turkey, not all are detected, highlighting surveillance gaps.
• Isolated facial paralysis resulting from tick infestation, particularly in the ear, is an uncommon clinical presentation.

Observation:

• A 3-year-old girl presented with acute left ear pain and facial paresthesia.
• Clinical signs included left eye closure difficulty (lagophthalmos) and speech impairment (dysarthria).
• Physical examination revealed a tick lodged within the external auditory canal.

Findings:

• The patient's symptoms were attributed to tick infestation of the ear.
• Surgical removal of the tick from the external auditory canal was successfully performed.
• This case highlights an unusual manifestation of tick-borne illness.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering tick-borne etiologies in pediatric patients presenting with neurological symptoms, even in unusual locations like the ear.
• Accurate and timely diagnosis, followed by prompt removal of the tick, is crucial for managing such conditions and preventing potential complications.
• Further research into the mechanisms by which ticks cause localized neurological deficits is warranted.