Affiliation:
1. UOC di Terapia Intensiva Neonatale e Pediatria, Ospedale “A. Manzoni”, ASST di Lecco; Scuola di Spe
2. Scuola in Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Milano-Bicocca
Abstract
Following a primary Epstein-Barr virus infection, a 4- years-old boy develops bilateral peripheral VII cranial nerve palsy. Ruled out the other bilateral facial palsy’s causes (first of all borreliosis), the cause of the paralysis is recognized in the Epstein-Barr virus infection. We start a steroid therapy associated with physiotherapy treatment for functional rehabilitation. Bilateral peripheral facial palsy is a rare condition. Un- like unilateral palsy, which is idiopathic in about half of the cases, bilateral palsy is idiopathic in only 20% of cas- es. Both in the case of unilateral and bilateral involve- ment, Borrelia burgdorferi infection stands out among the recognized causes in first place. Another bilateral facial palsy’s cause is Epstein-Barr virus infection, because of its important neurotropism, which causes palsy with a still unclear mechanism. About 2 months after the onset of neurological symptoms our boy is gradually recovering facial nerve functions.
Subject
Microbiology (medical),Immunology,Immunology and Allergy