Related Experiment Videos
[Two pediatric cases of facial palsy caused by masked mastoiditis]
I Takamatsu1, N Ogahara, M Fujimoto
1Kanagawa Children's Medical Center.
Insights
Otogenic facial palsy in children, often linked to masked mastoiditis, may require surgical intervention. Tympanomastoidectomy and facial nerve decompression led to complete recovery in two pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Otogenic facial palsy is a rare complication of middle ear infections.
- Masked mastoiditis can present insidiously, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
- Standard treatments like myringotomy, antibiotics, and steroids may be insufficient.
Observation:
- Two pediatric patients presented with otogenic facial palsy and masked mastoiditis.
- Initial treatments including myringotomy, antibiotics, and steroids were ineffective.
Findings:
- Surgical intervention, specifically tympanomastoidectomy and facial nerve decompression with tympanostomy tube insertion, was performed.
- Both patients achieved complete recovery of facial nerve function within two months post-operatively.
Implications:
- Tympanomastoidectomy and facial nerve decompression may be essential treatments for pediatric otogenic facial palsy secondary to masked mastoiditis.
- Early surgical consideration could improve outcomes in complex cases.
Abstract:
Two children with otogenic facial palsy are reported. The tympanic membranes of a 15-month-old boy and a girl of the same age were hyperemic, dull, and bulging, and the children suffered from masked mastoiditis. The facial palsy had not been improved by myringotomy, and parenteral administration of antibiotics and steroids. Finally, tympanomastoidectomy and facial nerve decompression was performed and a tympanostomy tube was inserted. Both patients completely recovered facial nerve function within two months after the operation. On the basis of the results of those operations tympanomastoidectomy and the facial nerve decompression may become necessary in such cases as those caused by masked mastoiditis.