Sjogren's syndrome associated with bilateral peripheral facial paralysis

Neurosciences (Riyadh). 2021 Oct;26(4):389-391. doi: 10.17712/nsj.2021.4.20210036.

Abstract

Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that may be complicated by neurological dysfunctions. The involvement of cranial nerves in SS was described as a very rare complication. Moreover, bilateral peripheral facial paralysis associated with SS has been described only in 3 patients in the literature and the first case was described by Henrik Sjogren himself in 1935. We report a 59-year-old female with bilateral peripheral facial paralysis associated with Sjogren's syndrome. She was treated with 5-day IVIG consecutively and continued oral methylprednisolone 16mg/day and almost fully recovered at 2 months of follow-up examination. Acute bilateral peripheral facial palsy in SS is a very rare condition and Lyme disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome, HIV infection, and central nervous system lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis. As a result, SS should be considered as an underlying cause of bilateral facial paralysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Facial Paralysis* / drug therapy
  • Facial Paralysis* / etiology
  • Female
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome*
  • HIV Infections*
  • Humans
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Sjogren's Syndrome* / complications
  • Sjogren's Syndrome* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Methylprednisolone