Open AccessSilent mastoiditis-tuberculous aetiology presenting as facial nerve palsy
Author(s) -
Geetha V. Karkera,
Dharti Shah
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
indian journal of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.229
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2231-3796
pISSN - 0973-7707
DOI - 10.1007/bf02907762
Subject(s) - medicine , palsy , etiology , mastoiditis , facial nerve , otorhinolaryngology , lower motor neuron , surgery , neurosurgery , bell's palsy , otitis , motor neuron , pathology , disease , alternative medicine
We report an unusual case of sudden onset lower motor neuron facial palsy in a 30-year-old male. It was subsequently diagnosed to be caused by silent mastoiditis of tuberculous aetiology. The diagnosis was based on the histology of granulations found during facial nerve decompression. The facial palsy resolved after initiating anti-tubercular therapy and surgical decompression. Our case is an uncommon case of acute onset infranuclear facial palsy due to tuberculosis, in the absence of any ear findings, resembling Bell's palsy.