Facial Palsy After Blunt Trauma and Without Facial Bone Fracture

Abstract

A 14-year-old patient had a low-energy facial blunt trauma that evolved to right facial paralysis caused by parotid hematoma with parotid salivary gland lesion. Computed tomography and angiography demonstrated intraparotid collection without pseudoaneurysm and without radiologic signs of fracture in the face. The patient was treated with serial punctures for hematoma deflation, resolving with regression and complete remission of facial paralysis, with no late sequela. The authors discuss the relationship between facial nerve traumatic injuries associated or not with the presence of facial fractures, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and appropriate treatment of such cases.

Unusual Mechanism of Facial Nerve Palsy Caused by Penetrating Neck Trauma

“…e facial nerve (FN) is mainly responsible for the facial movement, and its injury may cause great discomfort for the patient [1] as it may induce facial asymmetry, leading to a loss of balanced appearance and function. is may have a deleterious effect on a patient's psychology and social life [2].…”

“…is may have a deleterious effect on a patient's psychology and social life [2]. e FN has a complex anatomical course, and dysfunction can be due to congenital, inflammatory, infectious, traumatic, and neoplastic etiologies [3], with trauma being the second most common cause of FN injury representing up to 15% of all cases [1,4] e FN is also the second most commonly injured cranial nerve in blunt head trauma, after the olfactory [5].…”

“…FN paralysis due to blunt trauma without imaging evidence of bony fracture has been reported only in few case reports [9], so the facial nerve paralysis after blunt trauma is considered very rare [1].…”