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Case Reports
. 2018 Mar 14;2(2):136-138.
doi: 10.5811/cpcem.2018.1.36488. eCollection 2018 May.

Facial Baroparesis Mimicking Stroke

Diann M Krywko  1 , D Tyler Clare  1 , Mohamad Orabi  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Facial Baroparesis Mimicking Stroke

Diann M Krywko et al. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. .

Abstract

We report a case of a 55-year-old male who experienced unilateral facial muscle paralysis upon ascent to altitude on a commercial airline flight, with resolution of symptoms shortly after descent. The etiology was determined to be facial nerve barotrauma, or facial baroparesis, which is a known but rarely reported complication of scuba diving, with even fewer cases reported related to aviation. The history and proposed pathogenesis of this unique disease process are described.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: By the CPC-EM article submission agreement, all authors are required to disclose all affiliations, funding sources and financial or management relationships that could be perceived as potential sources of bias. The authors disclosed none.

Figures

Image
Image
Anatomical course of the facial nerve through the facial canal, from entry via internal auditory meatus to exit at stylomastoid foramen. Illustrated by Kristin Calandra, PAC, MSPAS.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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