Abstract

SANTAS ALEGRET, Mario et al. Facial nerve palsy associated with parotid abscess. Case report and bibliographic review. Rev Esp Cirug Oral y Maxilofac [online]. 2021, vol.43, n.3, pp.117-121.  Epub Oct 25, 2021. ISSN 2173-9161.  https://dx.doi.org/10.20986/recom.2021.1241/2021.

Facial nerve palsy associated with parotid tumours is suggestive of malignancy. In general, benign tumours or infections of the parotid gland do not affect facial nerve function. Less than twenty cases of facial nerve palsy due to parotid abscess are reported. The etiology of paralysis remains unknown although certain factors such as the virulence of the offending organisms, compression of the nerve, perineuritis or ischemic neuropathy have been suggested. Hydration and broad spectrum antibiotic treatment combined with surgical drainage are the gold standard therapy. In the majority of the patients, nerve paralysis recovers in the follow-up period.

We report a case of a 48-year-old female who presented with left facial nerve palsy due to a parotid abscess managed with medical and surgical therapies combined.

Keywords : Parotid abscess; facial paralysis; facial nerve; parotid gland.

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