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Delayed-onset facial nerve paresis following cochlear implantation: case report and literature review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 December 2018

R Lawrence ,
E Jeffs  and
DEH Hartley
R Lawrence*
Affiliation:
Nottingham Auditory Implant Programme, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, University of Nottingham, UK
E Jeffs
Affiliation:
Nottingham Auditory Implant Programme, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, University of Nottingham, UK
DEH Hartley
Affiliation:
Nottingham Auditory Implant Programme, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, University of Nottingham, UK Department of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Rachael Lawrence, Department of Otolaryngology, Queen's Medical Centre, Derby Road, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK E-mail: rachael.lawrence@nottingham.ac.uk
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Abstract

Objective

Facial nerve paresis is rare following cochlear implantation. Mechanisms underlying delayed-onset facial paresis are poorly understood. This paper describes the case of a patient who developed facial nerve paresis three years after implantation. A literature review was performed with the aim of identifying any similar cases.

Methods

The patient case is reported, and the literature reviewed using PubMed, Embase and Ovid databases.

Results

The literature review revealed that the vast majority of delayed-onset facial nerve paresis cases occur within the first month of implantation. Only two other cases occurring years after device implantation were identified. Although potential causative factors have been suggested, as in our case this phenomenon may be idiopathic.

Conclusion

Prognosis for recovery of late-onset facial nerve paresis seems promising, despite the unfortunate requirement for device explantation in all previous cases including our own.

Keywords

Cochlear ImplantsFacial NerveOtology

Information

Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 132 , Issue 12 , December 2018 , pp. 1150 - 1152
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2018 

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Footnotes

Dr R Lawrence takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

References

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