Facial palsy in Heerfordt's syndrome: Electrophysiological localization of the lesion

Abstract

Heerfordt's syndrome is characterized by fever, uveitis, swelling of the parotid gland, and facial nerve palsy and represents a variety of neurosarcoidosis. Since the first description of the syndrome, discussion about the lesion site has been controversial and has included the assumption of direct nerve compression by parotid gland swelling or a lesion within the facial canal in light of observations of accompanying taste disturbance. We report on a 26‐year‐old man with typical Heerfordt's syndrome who developed bilateral facial nerve palsy. Electrical and magnetic stimulation of the whole facial motor path provided strong evidence for a pathological process that: (i) began in the cerebellopontine angle; (ii) spread distally into the facial canal; and (iii) could be characterized by proximal demyelination. The patient recovered completely within 6 weeks under immunosuppressive therapy with steroids. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 22: 1279–1282, 1999.

Do you know this syndrome? Heerfordt-Waldenström syndrome

“… 3 The disease was first described in 1909 by Heerfordt and Waldenström, and its association with sarcoidosis was noted in 1937. 4 , 5 …”