Following a primary Epstein-Barr virus infection, a 4-year-old boy develops bilateral peripheral 7th cranial nerve palsy. Ruled out the other causes of bilateral facial palsy (first of all borreliosis), the cause of the paralysis is recognized in the Epstein-Barr virus infection. A steroid therapy associated with physiotherapy treatment for functional rehabilitation is administered. Bilateral peripheral facial palsy is a rare condition. Unlike unilateral palsy, which is idiopathic in about half of the cases, bilateral palsy is idiopathic in only 20% of cases. Both in the case of unilateral and bilateral involvement, Borrelia burgdorferi infection stands out among the recognized causes in first place. Another cause of bilateral facial palsy is Epstein-Barr virus infection because of its important neurotropism, which causes palsy with a still unclear mechanism. The patient has gradually recovered facial nerve functions after about 2 months from the onset of neurological symptoms.
Bilateral peripheral facial palsy is a rare condition. Unlike unilateral palsy, which is idiopathic in about half of the cases, bilateral palsy is idiopathic in only 20% of cases. Both in the case of unilateral and bilateral involvement, Borrelia burgdorferi infection stands out among the recognized causes in first place. Another bilateral facial palsy’s cause is Epstein-Barr virus infection, because of its important neurotropism, which causes palsy with a still unclear mechanism.
About 2 months after the onset of neurological symptoms our boy is gradually recovering facial nerve functions.