Journal
JOURNAL OF LARYNGOLOGY AND OTOLOGY
Volume 135, Issue 1, Pages 88-92Publisher
CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1017/S0022215120002431
Keywords
Barotrauma; Facial Paralysis; Facial Nerve; Aviation; Aircraft
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Facial nerve baroparesis is a rare phenomenon usually temporary, which can be effectively managed with ventilation tube insertion. In cases of long-standing facial nerve palsy after descent of the aircraft, urgent myringotomy should be performed to prevent permanent facial nerve damage.
Background Facial nerve baroparesis is a rare phenomenon which has been reported during flight. It is thought to occur due to ischaemic neuropraxia on the facial nerve as middle-ear pressure increases in the presence of Eustachian tube dysfunction and force is transmitted through a dehiscent facial nerve canal. Method This study presents an aviation-associated, right-sided facial nerve palsy as well as presenting the results of a systematic review that was performed on the available literature using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Full-text articles from Medline, PubMed and Embase were used, as well as associated reference lists. This study systematically reviews the literature to discuss presentation, investigations performed and an approach to management of this rare condition. Results This study identified 23 cases in the literature (including the case presented in this study) of facial nerve baroparesis. Conclusion Facial nerve baroparesis is a mostly temporary rare phenomenon that can be managed effectively with ventilation tube insertion. In the event of long-standing facial nerve palsy after descent of the aircraft, urgent myringotomy should be performed to prevent permanent facial nerve damage.
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