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- Title
Recurrent facial nerve baroparesis in a military diver: a case report.
- Authors
Marinides, Zoe; Virgilio, Gina R.
- Abstract
Middle ear barotrauma is common in diving. However, facial nerve baroparesis is a relatively rare complication. A dehiscent facial nerve canal may be a predisposing factor to developing this complication. Although there is an increasing number of facial baroparesis cases in the literature, they are likely still under-reported. In order to avoid unnecessary recompression treatments or detrimental effects to a professional diver's career, it is important to consider this in the differential diagnosis while evaluating dive injuries. This case report describes recurrent facial baroparesis in a military diver, which manifested on contralateral sides of his face. His initial presentation was misdiagnosed as an arterial gas embolism, which led to recompression treatment and a cardiac procedure. Upon recurrence about one year later, a complete work-up was done, which included an ENT evaluation and a CT scan. Imaging demonstrated a predisposing anatomic variant bilaterally. His symptoms resolved quickly and spontaneously both times, and he has been able to return to diving.
- Subjects
AURAL barotrauma; DIVING; FACIAL nerve; ARTERIAL gas embolism; COMPUTED tomography
- Publication
Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine, 2019, Vol 46, Issue 1, p87
- ISSN
1066-2936
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.22462/01.03.2019.11