TWO PEDIATRIC CASES OF FACIAL PALSY CAUSED BY MASKED MASTOIDITIS

Two children with otogenic facial palsy are reported. The tympanic membranes of a 15-month-old boy and a girl of the same age were hyperemic, dull, and bulging, and the children suffered from masked mastoiditis. The facial palsy had not been improved by myringotomy, and parenteral administration of antibiotics and steroids. Finally, tympanomastoidectomy and facial nerve decompression was performed and a tympanostomy tube was inserted. Both patients completely recovered facial nerve function within two months after the operation. On the basis of the results of those operations tympanomastoidectomy and the facial nerve decompression may become necessary in such cases as those caused by masked mastoiditis.