An alarming sign for serious diseases in children: bilateral facial paralysis

Pediatr Neurol. 2002 Oct;27(4):312-3. doi: 10.1016/s0887-8994(02)00438-1.

Abstract

Facial paralysis in children is most often idiopathic, and isolated facial nerve palsy resulting from leukemic infiltration is a rare occurrence. We report a 13-year-old male with acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting with bilateral facial palsy, who was previously diagnosed with idiopathic facial palsy and treated with steroids. This rare presentation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia should be kept in mind as a diagnostic possibility in a patient with bilateral facial nerve paralysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Facial Paralysis / diagnosis*
  • Facial Paralysis / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / complications
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / diagnosis*