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A new S2k AWMF guideline for the treatment of idiopathic facial palsy has been published. An accurate differential diagnosis is indispensable as 25-40% of all facial palsy cases are of non-idiopathic origin. It is explicitly recommended to treat patients with idiopathic facial palsy with steroids. Steroids favour a complete recovery, decrease the risk of synkinesis, autonomic sequelae and contractures. Adjuvant antiviral therapy cannot be recommended. On current data there is not sufficient evidence that the combination of steroids with antiviral drugs has a benefit for the patients. Even when not supported by randomized trials, adjuvant symptomatic therapy to protect the cornea and to avoid complications is recommended. There is no scientific evidence that physical therapy has any benefit but it should be taken into account because of psychological reasons. A benefit of acupuncture has not been proven. If eye closure remains incomplete as result of defective healing, one therapeutic option is lid loading of the upper eye lid. Moreover, in case of severe persistent palsy, several well-established microsurgical nerve and muscle plasty procedures are available., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

A 72-year-old female patient presented with otitis of her left ear with inner ear depletion. Despite administration of intravenous antibiotics according to the resistogram and mastoidectomy the patient developed a similar pathological condition in the right ear and facial nerve palsy on the left side. Treatment with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole under the working diagnosis of a localised seronegative Wegener's granulomatosis was initiated without achieving remission. Cyclophosphamide pulse therapy in combination with high-dose methylprednisolone was initiated with rapid cure of the bilateral otitis. Sensorineural hearing loss and facial nerve palsy remained irreversible.