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  • Occult facial nerve...

Occult facial nerve palsy: Case of masquerading malignancy reported

Written By : Dr. Nandita Mohan |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2021-07-09T09:00:04+05:30  |  Updated On 9 July 2021 9:00 AM IST
Occult facial nerve palsy: Case of masquerading malignancy reported
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Yi Hai Li and colleagues from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Midcentral District Health Board, Palmerston North Hospital, Palmerston North, New Zealand recently reviewed a series of cases where they observed that although, occult malignancy causing facial nerve palsy is rare, it is not uncommon for the palsy to be diagnosed initially, and for some time thereafter, as Bell's palsy.

The case study has been published in the Journal of Otolaryngology and Rhinology.

Peripheral facial nerve palsy is mostly attributed to Bell's palsy, however in 5-10% of cases it may be from an underlying malignancy. It can be difficult to distinguish initially, frequently leading to misdiagnosis and a delay in management, potentially compromising survival of these patients.

A common distinguishing feature is that facial palsy from malignancy is typically gradual onset and progressive as opposed to sudden in that of Bell's palsy, although other benign causes may also present similarly.

Magnetic resonance imaging is the imaging modality of choice, but it can be falsely negative, adding to the diagnostic difficulty.

The researchers studied case report of a patient who ultimately was diagnosed with a malignant cause for their facial palsy.

An 81-year-old man with a background of hypertension and no history of previous skin malignancies presented to the neurology department one year after onset of a progressive left lower motor neuron facial weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan performed a year after onset showed no abnormality of the facial nerve. He received ectropion repair of the lower eye lid, brow lift, and tarsorrhaphy by an ophthalmologist. When seen by an otolaryngologist two years after onset, a repeat MRI with contrast showed oedema and hyperemia along the maxillary (V2) and mandibular (V3) divisions of the trigeminal nerve extending to involve the foramen ovale and the facial nerve up to the mastoid segment (Figure 1). It also showed enhancement of the parotid gland but without any discrete lesion. By now he had complete left facial palsy, numbness of lip, face, tip of tongue, and gums on left side. He subsequently had a non-targeted ultrasound-guided core biopsy of the parotid gland which demonstrated a primary salivary gland cancer, favoring salivary duct carcinoma. Multidisciplinary meeting recommended palliative radiotherapy, which he managed to only partially complete due to side effects, including neuropathic pain, lacrimation, hypersalivation, and fatigue. He also had facial reanimation with a static sling with tensor fascia lata, as well as gold weight to the upper eyelid. A year following diagnosis he was found to have metastasis to C6 vertebrae with associated paresthesia of the right arm and received radiation therapy to the lesion. He remains alive nearly four years following onset of symptoms.

Several factors have been associated with malignancy in the facial nerve. Although facial pain occurs in around 50% of cases with malignant involvement of facial palsy, the pain that occurs in Bell's palsy or Ramsay Hunt syndrome is usually present at the onset of the palsy and then improves. If the pain persists it should be investigated, especially if the facial weakness persists.

This case series and literature review highlights the importance of a high index of suspicion, especially with a progressive facial palsy, even in absence of positive imaging.

The authors recommend a more proactive approach whereby repeat imaging is performed at three months with operative exploration in patients with high-risk features, such as history of cutaneous SCC. Furthermore, in those without high-risk features a further period of observation may be undertaken, they added.

For further reference log on to:

DOI: 10.23937/2572-4193.1510102



case reportsoccultFacial nerve palsymalignancyJournal of Otolaryngology and Rhinology
Source : Journal of Otolaryngology and Rhinology
Dr. Nandita Mohan
Dr. Nandita Mohan

    Dr. Nandita Mohan is a practicing pediatric dentist with more than 5 years of clinical work experience. Along with this, she is equally interested in keeping herself up to date about the latest developments in the field of medicine and dentistry which is the driving force for her to be in association with Medical Dialogues. She also has her name attached with many publications; both national and international. She has pursued her BDS from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore and later went to enter her dream specialty (MDS) in the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry from Pt. B.D. Sharma University of Health Sciences. Through all the years of experience, her core interest in learning something new has never stopped. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751

    Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli
    Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

    Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751

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