Interesting sign of Bell's palsy in an ear wiggler

Neurol Sci. 2009 Aug;30(4):345-7. doi: 10.1007/s10072-009-0096-9. Epub 2009 May 30.

Abstract

Bell's palsy is a common disorder involving facial nerve. Branches of the facial nerve innervating auriculares muscles could be involved in patients with Bell's palsy. Functions of auriculares muscles were degenerated in the most of human beings, therefore, paralysis of the auriculares muscles in patients with Bell's palsy may be unnoticeable. However, unilateral loss of ear wiggling may be an interesting sign of Bell's palsy in natural ear wigglers who can move their ears voluntarily. The mechanism and muscles responsible for the ear wiggling and the innervations to these muscles were illustrated.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bell Palsy / drug therapy
  • Bell Palsy / physiopathology*
  • Ear, External / innervation
  • Ear, External / physiology*
  • Electromyography
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / innervation
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Prednisone