Open AccessFacial nerve palsy in otitis externa: A red flag?
Author(s) -
Aliyya Badaruddin,
May May Choo
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
malaysian family physician
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.207
H-Index - 14
eISSN - 1985-2274
pISSN - 1985-207X
DOI - 10.51866/cr1108
Subject(s) - otitis , medicine , palsy , auditory canal , facial nerve , complication , audiology , facial paralysis , ear canal , surgery , pathology , radiology , alternative medicine
Otitis externa is an infection of the external auditory canal. It rarely results in facial palsy except in severe cases such as necrotizing otitis externa, which is a life-threatening invasive infection of the external auditory canal. Early recognition with prompt and appropriate treatment of necrotizing otitis externa is crucial to prevent more sinister complications. Here we report a case of an elderly gentleman who presented with otitis externa and developed facial palsy a month later. We identified possible problems that may have led to the complication so that such an occurrence can be prevented in the future.