Multiple recurrences of ipsilateral facial palsy in a patient with widening of the facial canal.

The incidence of facial palsy (FP) is 6-12/100,000 in children, however only one in twenty experience recurrences. This report describes the clinical approach and diagnostic considerations in a child with multiple ipsilateral FP. The first occurrence of FP in conjunction with fever occurred at age 13 months, and was succeeded by more than 20 recurrences. Imaging revealed widening of the facial canal along with thickening of the facial nerve, allowing collateral inflammation and edema to induce pressure on the nerve. This is the first case describing the association between an abnormally widened facial canal and recurrent FP in childhood.