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Facial diplegia after hymenoptera sting
1Service de Neurologie, Clinique Saint Pierre, Ottignies, Belgium.
Acta Neurologica Belgica
|August 1, 1998
Summary
Bilateral facial palsy can occur after hymenoptera stings. This rare neurological complication shows complete recovery, with cerebrospinal fluid revealing a lymphoplasmocytic reaction.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Toxicology
- Immunology
Background:
- Hymenoptera stings (bees, wasps, ants) can cause various systemic and local reactions.
- Neurological complications are rare but recognized adverse events following hymenoptera envenomation.
- Bilateral facial palsy is an uncommon presentation of such neurological sequelae.
Observation:
- Two patients presented with sudden onset of bilateral facial palsy following hymenoptera stings.
- Neurological examinations were otherwise unremarkable, with no other cranial nerve deficits.
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed a lymphoplasmocytic reaction in both cases.
Findings:
- The presented cases suggest a potential link between hymenoptera stings and bilateral facial palsy.
- The lymphoplasmocytic reaction in cerebrospinal fluid indicates an inflammatory or immune-mediated process.
- No alternative causes for the facial palsy were identified in these patients.
Implications:
- This presentation expands the spectrum of known neurological complications associated with hymenoptera stings.
- Understanding this association aids in the differential diagnosis of bilateral facial palsy, particularly in endemic areas.
- Further research may elucidate the precise immunopathogenic mechanisms linking hymenoptera stings to facial nerve inflammation.