Facial Paralysis from Middle Ear Infections
Facial paralysis from a middle ear infection happens when the facial nerve that courses through the middle ear is dehiscent, meaning that the facial nerve is uncovered.
Etiology for Facial Paralysis from Middle Ear Infections
When the facial canal that courses through the middle ear is dehiscent, meaning that the facial nerve is uncovered, a middle ear infection can cause a facial paralysis. Some people are born with a dehiscent facial nerve in the middle ear, and in others the middle ear infection erodes the bony covering of the facial nerve. Cholesteatoma, a growth of skin in the middle ear, may also erode the bony covering of the facial nerve and cause a facial paralysis.
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About Dr. Prasad
Dr. Sanjay Prasad MD FACS is a board certified physician and surgeon with over thirty-two years of sub-specialty experience in Otology, Neurotology, advanced head and neck oncologic surgery, and cranial base surgery. He is chief surgeon and founder of the private practice, Metropolitan NeuroEar Group, located in the metropolitan Washington D.C. area.