Kawasaki syndrome induced facial nerve palsy

CASE REPORTS

Year : October-December 2011 | Volume : 8 | Issue : 4

KAWASAKI SYNDROME INDUCED FACIAL NERVE PALSY

AbdulKarim S Al-Makadma, Shahbaz Latif Memon.
Department of Pediatrics, Children`s Hospital, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Few cases have been reported about facial nerve palsy (FNP) as a manifestation or a consequence of Kawasaki disease (KD). KD when associated with FNP has more chance to develop coronary artery aneurysm. While the paralysis is usually self-limited, it may require 2 to 90 days to recover. Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been found to have favorable response in hours to few days. We report the case of an 8 months old boy with KD who developed left lower motor neuron facial nerve palsy in the second week of his illness and after appropriate treatment including IVIG. Additional dose of IVIG was necessary to treat his facial palsy. Although initial echocardiogram was normal, the repeated one after the development of facial nerve palsy showed ipsilateral (left) coronary artery dilatation. This reports highlights that IVIG does not prevent the development of Bell's palsy with KD but may be necessary for treatment. Also it emphasizes the fact that development of facial nerve palsy may be considered as an indicator for increased risk for the development of coronary artery dilatation.

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