Peripheral Facial Nerve Paralysis Secondary to Acute Otitis Media

Aim: Acute otitis media is a common disease among children, and peripheral facial nerve paralysis secondary to acute otitis media is a dramatic clinical entity for children and parents. In this report we discuss the clinical presentation of facial nerve paralysis secondary to acute otitis media and management of this clinical issue. Material and Method: The medical histories of seven children who suffered from facial nerve paralysis secondary to acute otitis media were collected retrospectively. Results: All seven of the children(ages: 1-9 years; 4 boys, 3 girls) underwent a myringotomy operation. Corticosteroids and antibiotics were also added during the treatment. All of the children were recovered totally; the recovery period varied from a week to a month(meanrecovery time: 1.8 weeks). Discussion: Rare complications like facial nerve paralysis can be seen during the normal course of acute otitis media,despite proper treatment. Immediate treatment may help to overcome these clinical complications