Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome is a rare disease of unknoun etiology, with hereditary predisposition. It is characterized by orofacial swelling, fissured tongue and recurrent peripheral facial palsy. After several episodes of facial palsy, permanent deficit may occur, leading to speech and feeding disabilities, and emotional problems. These important sequelaes justify the special attention required to the management of the facial palsy. The purpose of this study is to review main clinical findings on Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome and analyze the treatment options. We have reported four cases followed in our department and compared their treatments to the literature data. In two cases the recurrent episodes of facial palsy resolved spontaneously to normal facial function, without medication therapy. In one case a partial decompression of the facial nerve was performed, returning to normal function afterwards. In another case, a recurrent episode of facial paralysis ocurred after the partial decompression of facial nerve. The patients with Melkersson-Roshental syndrome and who show facial palsy with unsatisfactory evolution or recurrent episodes may undergo surgical procedure.
Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome; facial nerve; paralysis; decompression
