Facial nerve palsy from intra-aural tick (ixodes holocyclus) infestation
Suhana ABDUL RAHIM 1, Lina Ling CHOOI 2, Avatar Singh A/L MOHAN SINGH 2, Mohd Razif MOHAMAD YUNUS 1
1 Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, and 2 Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Hospital Taiping, Perak, Malaysia
ABSTRACT
Tick bite is common in Malaysia. It causes inflammation to the skin and to some extends its toxin release can cause local or systemic infiltration. Intra-aural tick infiltration is common. However presentation with facial nerve paralysis is rare. We report an interesting case of facial nerve paralysis secondary to intra-aural tick infestation and discuss the pathophysiology and theories of local neurological involvement and its management.
Keywords: Facial nerve, tick infestation, facial paralysis
Correspondence author: Suhana ABDUL RAHIM, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Universiti Kebangsaan Jalan Yaacob Latif, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel: +60192764746 E mail: drsuhana@yahoo.com
Brunei Int Med J. 2013; 9 (6): 382-384