Bilateral facial nerve palsy: a rare post-dengue fever complication

An adolescent with recent dengue infection was presented with sudden onset of bilateral facial nerve palsy. It was a rare presentation and posed as a diagnostic challenge to all physicians. A 13-year-old boy, presented with sudden onset of bilateral facial weakness. His chief complaints were noted drooping of the mouth, drooling of saliva and inability to close both eyelids. No weakness of all four limbs, ear discharges, earache or parotid gland enlargement. The only relevant significant history was recent dengue fever evident by positive dengue immunoglobulin M serology, 2 weeks prior to current presentation. During the dengue infestation, he was hospitalized for symptomatic treatment and was discharged home uneventfully. After exhausting all the available investigations and ruling out other commoner secondary causes, we finally attributed these presentations as bilateral Bell’s palsy complicated by his recent dengue infection. The mainstay of treatment was corticosteroid and rehabilitation as the usual approach towards Bell’s palsy. Our patient recovered uneventfully with no residual neurological deficit. This is a rare encounter case of bilateral Bell’s palsy following dengue infection. Bilateral facial nerve palsy following dengue infection is indeed rare. This poses as a diagnostic challenge and dilemma initially. Yet, the mainstay of treatment remains straightforward and this case will hopefully set an example for all physicians, to consider the diagnosis of bilateral facial nerve palsy, secondary to dengue infection.