I can't move my face! a case of bilateral facial palsy

J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2013 Oct;113(10):788-90. doi: 10.7556/jaoa.2013.048.

Abstract

The authors present a case of bilateral facial palsy in a 52-year-old man. The patient presented to an emergency department in Pennsylvania, describing left-sided neck pain and headache from "sleeping wrong," symptoms which eventually progressed to facial diplegia by his fourth visit in 2 weeks. His admitting diagnosis was Bell palsy; he was ultimately tested for and found to have Lyme disease. Delay in treatment of patients with Lyme disease may lead to bilateral facial paralysis and disease progression. Thorough history taking, physical examination, and scrutiny of prior records are important elements of identifying and treating patients such as these (ie, whose vague symptoms progress to facial diplegia) appropriately.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Ceftriaxone / administration & dosage*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Facial Paralysis / diagnosis*
  • Facial Paralysis / drug therapy
  • Facial Paralysis / etiology
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Lyme Disease / complications
  • Lyme Disease / diagnosis*
  • Lyme Disease / drug therapy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Ceftriaxone