A rare case of facial palsy in a patient with minor facial trauma: a case report

Background: Facial palsy is the paralysis of muscles in the face. Paralysis is usually unilateral. It has various causes, such as Bell’s palsy, trauma, infection, and autoimmune and congenital effects. Bell’s palsy is the most common cause of facial palsy. Trauma is also the major cause of facial palsy. On rare occasions, minor trauma to the face can result in facial palsy, and professional diagnosis and empirical treatment with steroids and eye care are options for managing this condition in resource-limited areas. Patient presentation : A 65-year-old Ethiopian male presented to Goba Referral Hospital with the inability to close his left eye and drooping his mouth following minor facial trauma caused by a piece of wood on his left side of the face while making a burning wood two days prior to his presentation at the hospital. With a professional diagnosis of facial palsy following minor facial trauma, the patient was treated with steroids and eye care and achieved good recovery. Conclusion : We conclude that the ideal management of facial palsy secondary to minor face trauma in resource-limited patients is professional diagnosis and conservative treatment with steroids and eye care with close follow-up.