Association of Surgeons of East Africa and College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa
Abstract
Background: Facial nerve abnormalities represent a broad spectrum of
lesions which are commonly seen by the otolaryngologist. The aim of
this paper is to highlight the aetiologic profile of facial nerve
palsy. Methods: A retrospective study of patients with facial nerve
palsy seen in the Ear, Nose and Throat clinic for 5 years. Results: The
study comprised of 25 patients, made of 16(64%) males and 9(36%)
females (M:F = 1.7:1). The age ranged between 6months and 80years, mean
of 32.1years (SD=16.38), with peak presentation seen in the 30-40years
age group. Bell’s palsy 13(52%), road traffic injury 5(20%) and
chronic suppurative otitis media 3(12%) are the commonest cause. The
others are stroke 2(8%), measles infection 1(4%) and middle ear tumor
1(4%). Spontaneous recovery was observed in 40%. Conclusion:
Bell’s palsy was the commonest cause of facial nerve palsy,
however aetiologies cut across all age groups. male slightly more
affected. This serves as data base for clinical evaluation of facial
palsy in our environment