Clinical and Electrophysiological Characteristics of DelayedFacial Palsy in Miller-Fisher Syndrome

Kwon, Doo-Hyuk; Seok, Jung Im; Han, Woo Ho; Lee, Dong Kuck

Ann Clin Neurophysiol > 2011 ;13(1) > Article

Ann Clin Neurophysiol. 2011; 13(1): 44-47.

Doo-Hyuk Kwon, Jung Im Seok, Woo Ho Han, and Dong Kuck Lee

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

ABSTRACT

Background: Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS) is characterized by the clinical triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia,and is considered a variant form of Guillain-Barre syndrome. Although some cases of delayed-onset facial palsy in MFShave been reported, the characteristics of this facial palsy are poorly described in the literature.
Methods: Between 2007and 2010, six patients with MFS were seen at our hospital. Delayed facial palsy, defined as a facial palsy that developedwhile the other symptoms of MFS began to improve following intravenous immunoglobulin treatment, was confirmed in fourpatients. The clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of delayed facial palsy in MFS, as observed in these patients,are described here.
Results: Four patients with delayed-onset facial palsy were included. Delayed facial palsy developed 8-16days after initial symptom onset (5-9 days after treatment). Unilateral facial palsy occurred in three patients and asymmetricfacial diplegia in one patient. The House-Brackmann score of facial palsy was grade III in one patient, IV in two patients,and V in one patient. None of the patients complained of posterior auricular pain. Facial nerve conduction studies revealednormal amplitude in all four patients. The blink reflex showed abnormal prolongation in two patients and the absence ofaction potential formation in two patients. Facial palsy resolved completely in all four patients within 3 months.
Conclusions:Delayed facial palsy is a frequent symptom in MFS and resolves completely without additional treatment. Thus, standardtreatment and patient reassurance are sufficient in most cases.

Key words: Miller-Fisher syndrome, Delayed facial palsy, Clinical characteristics, Electrophysiological characteristics