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Case Reports
. 2025 Jan 5;17(1):e76953.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.76953. eCollection 2025 Jan.

Pediatric Case of Facial Nerve Palsy as a Complication of Acute Otitis Media Caused by Non-typeable Haemophilus Influenza

Milena Mitkova  1 , Julide Kasaboglu  1 , Silvia Valcheva  1 , Raina Gergova  2 , Diana Popova  1 , Alexandra Alexandrova  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Pediatric Case of Facial Nerve Palsy as a Complication of Acute Otitis Media Caused by Non-typeable Haemophilus Influenza

Milena Mitkova et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Facial paralysis is an infrequent and serious potential complication of acute otitis media (AOM). We describe a pediatric case of rapidly progressive facial paralysis as a secondary complication alongside AOM, caused by the non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) strain, which was managed with facial nerve decompression, glucocorticoid medication, and antimicrobial chemotherapy. The reasons why NTHi becomes pathogenic in certain patients are not yet fully understood, and the specific interactions and adaptations that lead to complications must be further investigated, as they result in more complex treatment approaches.

Keywords: acute otitis media; facial nerve palsy; haemophilus influenzae; otitis media complication; pediatric.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: This study was supported by Medical University of Sofia – Grant No. D-121/2024. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Facial nerve palsy - a complication of acute otitis media caused by NTHi
NTHi: non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae
Figure 2
Figure 2. A computed tomography scan of the head
Left-sided middle ear and mastoid effusion with complete opacification of the mastoid air cells. Notably, the tympanic cavity showed no erosion of the bony walls in the middle ear or external auditory canal. (L-left; R-right)
Figure 3
Figure 3. The child was discharged with improvement in facial nerve paresis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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