Facial nerve palsy, acute otitis media and Epstein-Barr virus infection

Abstract

Introduction: Facial nerve palsy is a rare complication of acute otitis media. Despite most cases are assumed to have a bacterial origin, in a significant proportion of them there are no clinical or laboratorial signs indicative of bacterial infection. A viral etiology was proposed in some of these cases. Case summary: In this work we present a case of facial nerve palsy secondary to acute otitis media caused by Epstein-Barr virus infection in a 3-year-old boy and review the previously published cases on this subject, focusing on clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition. Discussion: Acute otitis media with facial nerve palsy can be a manifestation of Epstein-Barr virus primary infection. This etiology must be considered in all cases of facial nerve palsy secondary to acute otitis media, namely in those cases that lack signs of bacterial infection.

Keywords

• Facial nerve palsy
• Acute otitis media
• Epstein-Barr virus
• Infectious mononucleosis