Post COVID-19 Bilateral Facial Nerve Palsy

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Neurological manifestations are increasingly recognized complications of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
• Facial nerve palsy, particularly bilateral, is an uncommon neurological sequela.
• Understanding COVID-19's impact on the nervous system is crucial for patient management.

Observation:

• A patient developed bilateral facial nerve palsy five weeks post-COVID-19 onset.
• The patient presented with isolated facial weakness, without other neurological deficits.
• No alternative causes for the bilateral facial palsy were identified.

Findings:

• The case presents a rare instance of bilateral facial nerve palsy following COVID-19.
• The temporal association suggests a potential causal link between COVID-19 and facial nerve palsy.
• Exclusion of other potential etiologies strengthens the hypothesis of a COVID-19 trigger.

Implications:

• This case highlights the diverse neurological spectrum of COVID-19.
• It underscores the importance of considering COVID-19 as a potential cause for new-onset facial nerve palsy.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and prevalence of COVID-19-associated facial nerve palsy.