Isolated facial nerve palsy: Rare manifestation of dengue haemorrhagic fever - A case report

• Main Authors: M Misthaq, P Selladurai, AGH Sugathapala
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sri Lankan Society for Microbiology 2019-04-01
• Series: Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases
• Subjects: dengue fever, facial nerve palsy, lower motor neuron
• Online Access: https://sljid.sljol.info/articles/8237

Dengue is a common arboviral infection and is one of the tropical diseases which occur in Sri Lanka. Neurological manifestations due to dengue are very rare but can be caused by serotypes 2 and 3. Here we report of an isolated facial nerve palsy occurring as a manifestation of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) in a young boy who presented with fever and constitutional symptoms.    Haematological parameters were suggestive of dengue with dengue IgM being positive. Subsequently, he developed right side lower motor neuron type of facial nerve palsy. He was treated with a high dose of steroids and facial nerve stimulation therapy. He clinically recovered without residual weakness.