Facial Paralysis Caused by a Foreign Body from the Palate Veil Reaching the Parotid Region: Report of a Case

Abstract

Introduction: Oropharyngeal foreign bodies are a relatively common emergency in pediatric population. They rarely pose a diagnostic problem, but remain a fear for the ENT surgeon. We report the observation of a foreign body lodged in the oropharynx arriving in the parotid region in order to discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Observation: 03-year-old male child admitted to the pediatric emergency room for oropharyngeal trauma following an accidental fall on a ballpoint pen. The examination revealed the foreign body (pen cap) penetrating the soft palate reaching the right parotid region palpable under the sublobular skin complicated by immediate and complete ipsilateral peripheral facial palsy. The foreign body was extracted intraorally under general anesthesia after surgical exploration of the facial nerve. The postoperative period was marked by the regression of facial paralysis. Conclusion: This type of foreign body in the oropharynx is a medical and surgical emergency. Easy to diagnose, these foreign bodies pose above all a problem of lesion diagnosis and therapeutic attitude. Therefor, their prevention remains the essential weapon.