Right Sided Facial Nerve Palsy, Bilateral Microtia with Polydactyly in an Infant – A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Congenital facial palsy (CFP) is facial palsy of the seventh cranial nerve present at birth. It is commonly believed to be either developmental or originally acquired. Facial palsy of developmental origin is associated with other anomalies including ear, eye or cardiac anomalies. But it is rarely associated with polydactyly. We report a 10- month-old female infant who had right CFP with bilateral microtia and polydactyly. Congenital facial nerve palsy unilaterally manifesting as weakness of entire face on one side due to infranuclear cause is a rare occurrence in paediatric population.1 The facial palsy of lower motor neuron type involves weakness of same side of muscles of face of one side. Facial nerve as it emerges out of cranium traverses through facial canal medial to mastoid process and divides into multiple branches. It supplies ear, autonomic fibres for lacrimal gland, salivary glands, and motor supply to the face. Any pathology, congenital or acquired causing compression of facial nerve in this pathway can lead to facial palsy. Microtia is a congenital condition that varies from minor structural defects to full ear absence in severity and may occur as an individual defect or as part of a syndrome. Polydactyly is the most common hereditary limb anomaly characterized by extra fingers or toes. Here, we report a case presented with bilateral microtia and right-side facial nerve palsy.