Int. Adv. Otol. 2010; 6(3) 410-414

Bilateral facial paralysis caused by tuberculous otitis media: A case report.
Mete Iseri, Murat Topdag S.Arif Ulubil, Fatma Demir Kuru.  Kocaeli University Dept of Otolaryngology, Turkey

Objectives: The aim of the study was to present a case of bilateral facial paralysis caused by tuberculosis.

Methods: A review of a single case including radiographic, odiologic, and peroperative findings were done, followed by a discussion highlighting relevant literature.

Results: A 28-year-old woman was referred to our clinic for bilateral facial paralysis, who presented with hearing loss and vestibular symptoms. An audiogram revealed a mixed type hearing loss of 97dB in the left ear and of 65dB in the right ear. On temporal CT imaging, the patient was found to have a bilateral granulation tissues that occluded the tympanic cavity, and mastoid cells. Neurological examination showed bilateral House-Brackmann stage V peripheral facial paralysis. After the operation and antituberculosis treatment, the facial paralysis regressed to stage II on the right side, and stage III on the left side on the following fifth month.

Conclusions: Bilateral facial paralysis due to the tuberculosis otitis media is very rare; however, if the laboratory testing does not reveal any other cause, or if the response to treatment is unsatisfactory, tuberculous otitis should be suspected.