Facial Paresis Associated with Acute External Otitis Report of a Case

Abstract

Reports of facial paralysis resulting from affections of the external auditory canal are unusual and apparently illogical. However, in a case of the right acute diffuse external otitis in a 20 year old housewife, there was evident associated mastoid as well as facial nerve involvement. The affected ear was treated with the usual local applications (polymyxin-bacitracin-neomycin mixture). Although there was immediate improvement, four days later a definite but incomplete right facial paralysis developed. A week after the external infection cleared, a profusely draining right otitis media developed in a previously normal middle ear. The facial paresis disappeared but roentgenograms showed a right catarrhal mastoiditis and moderate right conduction deafness was present. This infection was cured by local and systemic treatment. When the patient was last seen a month later (May 18, 1959), ears, hearing and facial movements were normal.