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Developmental unilateral facial palsy in a newborn: six cases and literature review
- Source :
- European journal of pediatrics
- Publication Year :
- 2020
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2020.
-
Abstract
- Unilateral facial palsy in a newborn is rarely caused by a developmental defect. It occurs either isolated or in the context of a syndrome. This article describes a multidisciplinary approach towards unilateral, isolated congenital facial palsy along with a literature review. We report six patients, three boys and three girls, who presented with a unilateral facial palsy at birth. Clinical assessment was performed by an ear-nose-throat (ENT) surgeon, a pediatric neurologist, and an ophthalmologist. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the posterior fossa and computerized tomography (CT) of the temporal bone were requested to exclude structural anomalies of the facial nerve. Imaging revealed the underlying cause in five patients out of six (80%), showing an ipsilateral facial nerve aplasia or hypoplasia. These findings point towards an underlying developmental defect and underscore the importance of MRI in the diagnostic work-up. Surgical and non-surgical therapies were discussed with the parents. Conclusion: Congenital unilateral facial palsy caused by a developmental defect outside the context of a syndrome is rare. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended to differentiate between various causes and to initiate timely treatment.What is Known:center dot Congenital facial palsy is mostly caused by environmental/external fcators.center dot However in rare cases it can be developmental defect.What is New:center dot This paper describes 6 cases of isolated congenital facial palsy related to a developmental defect and presents the largest case series in the literature caused by aplasia/hypoplasia of the facial nerve.center dot MRI and CT-imaging allow for an assessment of the facial nerve at the root entry zone of the brainstem and along its course through the middle ear or the face. Moreover, they proved to be helpful in differentiating between several causes of congenital facial palsy.
- Subjects :
- Male
Pediatrics
medicine.medical_specialty
Facial Paralysis
Context (language use)
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
030225 pediatrics
Temporal bone
medicine
Humans
030212 general & internal medicine
Palsy
medicine.diagnostic_test
business.industry
Infant, Newborn
Infant
Magnetic resonance imaging
Syndrome
Aplasia
Delivery, Obstetric
medicine.disease
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Facial nerve
Hypoplasia
Facial Nerve
stomatognathic diseases
Unilateral facial palsy
Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health
Female
Human medicine
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
business
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14321076 and 03406199
- Volume :
- 179
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- European Journal of Pediatrics
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....c1fe72c7cbe56233a086b9ab1751c6a5