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Oculostapedial synkinesis following idiopathic facial palsy: something to listen out for

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 July 2018

T Williams ,
B Tungland ,
N Stobbs  and
G Watson
T Williams*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield
B Tungland
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Pinderfields General Hospital, Wakefield, UK
N Stobbs
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield
G Watson
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield
*
Author for correspondence: Mr Timothy Williams, ENT Department, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK E-mail: timothy.williams@sth.nhs.uk Fax: 0114 271 1985
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Abstract

Objective

This paper presents a rare case of oculostapedial synkinesis.

Case report

After partial resolution of an idiopathic facial palsy, a male patient presented with persistent distortion of hearing when blinking and closing his eye. Audiometry findings were unremarkable, and cross-sectional imaging of the facial nerve revealed no abnormalities apart from an incidental contralateral meningioma. Initial conservative management, with referral to a specialist physiotherapist, failed to resolve the symptoms. The patient subsequently opted for surgical intervention, and underwent a transmeatal tympanotomy and transection of the stapedial tendon. Following this, he had complete resolution of symptoms.

Conclusion

Oculostapedial synkinesis is a rare complication of facial palsy, but is recognised in the literature. Given its unusual presentation, it can be overlooked, especially by more junior team members. This case highlights the need to pay careful attention to patients' symptoms and listen out for the description of hearing distortion on facial movement.

Keywords

Facial NerveFacial ParalysisSynkinesis

Information

Type
Clinical Record
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 132 , Issue 8 , August 2018 , pp. 757 - 758
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2018 

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Footnotes

Mr T Williams takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

References

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