Epineurial repair of an iatrogenic facial nerve neurotmesis after total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy in a dog with concurrent cranio-mandibular osteopathy

Authors

  • Ignacio Calvo University of Glasgow
  • Irene Espadas University of Glasgow
  • Gawain Hammond University of Glasgow
  • Kathryn Pratschke University of Glasgow

Abstract

A 7-year-old male entire West Highland white terrier was referred to the Small Animal Hospital at the University of Glasgow for bilateral, chronic, medically unresponsive otitis media and externa. A history of cranio-mandibular osteopathy was also reported. Bilateral total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy was performed with the aid of a pneumatic burr. Extensive bone proliferation was present bilaterally originating from the caudal mandibular ramus and tympanic bulla which incorporated the horizontal canal on each side. The right facial nerve was identified leaving the stylomastoid foramen and running in a cranial direction through a 1.5 cm diameter cuff of bone surrounding the horizontal canal and external acoustic meatus. Despite careful dissection, a facial nerve neurotmesis ensued which required microsurgical epineurial repair. Neurologic examination performed
12 h post-operatively revealed abnormalities consistent with right facial nerve paralysis. At 3 months, the facial nerve function was found to have improved significantly and was assessed to be normal four months after surgery. To the authors’ knowledge, this clinical communication described the first reported clinical case where unilateral facial nerve paralysis resulting from iatrogenic facial nerve neurotmesis was successfully treated by microsurgical epineurial repair.

Author Biographies

  • Ignacio Calvo, University of Glasgow

    Small Animal Hospital – Division of Small Animal Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom

  • Irene Espadas, University of Glasgow

    Small Animal Hospital – Division of Small Animal Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom

  • Gawain Hammond, University of Glasgow

    Small Animal Hospital – Division of Small Animal Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom

  • Kathryn Pratschke, University of Glasgow

    Small Animal Hospital – Division of Small Animal Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom

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Published

2021-12-09

Issue

Section

Case Report