Recurrent Facial Nerve Paralysis: A Case report on Melkersson Rosenthal Syndrome


Author(s):

Mahavishnu Sahadevan¹, Vanessa Louis2, Kushanthini Sivaloganathan³, Mohamed Sunil⁴

Affiliation:

¹Department of Neurology, Penang General Hospital, Penang, Malaysia
²Department of Anaesthesiology Penang General Hospital, Penang, Malaysia
³Department of Emergency Medicine, Parkcity Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
⁴Department of Internal Medicine, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Malé, Maldives

DOI: 10.2478/jim-2022-0003

This is a case report of a 27-year-old male who presented with recurrent facial swelling and
weakness. The clinical evaluation revealed that the patient had Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome
(MRS), a rare neurological disease characterized by the triad of recurrent facial edema,
recurrent facial muscle weakness, and a furrowed or fissured tongue. Accurate data regarding
the incidence of MRS is challenging to obtain due to the rarity of the disorder, and early recognition
and treatment can potentially reduce the probability of permanent disability.
Keywords: recurrent facial nerve paralysis, Melkersson Rosenthal Syndrome, granulomatous
cheilitis