Lyme neuroborreliosis as a cause of sudden sensorineural hearing loss and facial palsy

Abstract

Abstract We present a case of sudden sensorineural hearing loss and rapidly progressive facial palsy in a female patient in her 40s with no, apparently, notable past medical or surgical history. Investigations revealed a positive serology for B. burgdoferi and the MRI allowed us to identify suggestive signs of Lyme meningitis with multiple cranial nerve involvement. After diagnosis, the patient was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone with a full recovery of sensorineural deafness and facial palsy. This case report highlights the importance of collecting a complete medical history in all cases of facial palsy and sudden hearing loss while presenting an infrequent clinical presentation of early disseminated Lyme disease with neuroborreliosis.

Keywords

• facial palsy
• Lyme disease
• meningitis
• neuroborreliosis
• sensorineural hearing loss