Facial nerve palsy following bee sting: a case report

Abstract

One of the most common insect poisoning is bee sting. It can produce local symptoms such as pain, redness, and fever following a local pain. Rarely, anaphylaxis, myocardial infarction, organ failure, epilepsy and other neurological diseases have been reported. Lower motor neuron facial nerve palsy is one of the common diseases of the Otorhinolaryngology clinic. Although it is usually idiopathic, trauma and tumors are the two most common causes. Usually, it is diagnosed clinically and the grade of palsy is based on House Brackmann Classification. We present a case of left Bell’s palsy due to bee sting. A 21-year-old male patient was referred to our clinic for persistent incomplete eye closure for two weeks duration. Upon further history, he complained that prior to the left sided facial weakness he was stung by a bee the night before on his left toe and developed the facial weakness when he woke up in the morning. He did not get immediate treatment. Clinically he had Grade III left lower motor neuron facial nerve palsy. Other ear, nose and throat examinations were unremarkable. He was treated with oral steroid and eye care. One week upon follow up, his facial weakness was completely resolved.