[Peripheral facial paresis as a symptom of Borrelia burgdorferi infection]

Abstract

Infection with the tick-borne Borrelia burgdorferi can lead to a variety of neurologic symptoms, the most frequent being a radicular pain syndrome due to meningitis. General symptoms such as asthenia or headache are also frequent, however, and serious neurologic complications such as dementia or spastic paresis may occur. At an early stage, Borrelia infections can be easily treated with antibiotics, which makes it important to recognize the symptoms and make the correct diagnosis. A common feature of borreliosis is facial palsy, and in the article is described the case of a 14 year-old boy with borreliosis and bilateral facial palsy. The frequency of facial palsy from borreliosis is probably high. The authors discuss the indications for performing lumber puncture in patients with apparent idiopathic facial palsy (Bell's palsy).