Metabolic Facial Paralysis in an Infant

Abstract

A 2-month-old infant developed facial paralysis with a presentation that masqueraded as a possible middle ear tumor. The cause of the paralysis eventually was related to a metabolic consequence of his underlying disorder, cystic fibrosis. To our knowledge, the association of vitamin A imbalance, pseudotumor cerebri, and facial paralysis has not previously been discussed in the otolaryngologic literature.