Heerfordt syndrome with unilateral facial nerve palsy: a rare presentation of sarcoidosis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Heerfordt syndrome is rare and is characterized by fever, uveitis, parotid gland enlargement, and facial nerve palsy. We hereby present a case of Heerfordt syndrome with unilateral facial nerve palsy as a presentation of sarcoidosis.

HISTORY AND SIGNS:

A 29-year-old male patient from Sri Lanka presented with eye redness OU, blurred vision OD, fever, headache, night sweat, fatigue, and weight loss (5 kg over 1 month). Examination revealed mild anterior uveitis OU, mild vitritis OD, fundus whitish lesions OU, left otalgia, taste disorders, bilateral parotid gland enlargement, and left facial nerve palsy. Work-up for infection or tumour was negative. Chest computed tomography and transbronchial lymph node biopsy set the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

THERAPY AND OUTCOME:

The patient recovered completely within 2 months under therapy with prednisone and azathioprine. One year after onset of treatment, no recurrence was noted.

CONCLUSIONS:

Heerfordt syndrome is a rare manifestation of neurosarcoidosis and has to be included in the differential diagnosis of facial nerve palsy.

• Authors: I K Petropoulos, J-P Zuber, Y Guex-Crosier
• Journal: Klinische Monatsblatter fur Augenheilkunde (Klin Monbl Augenheilkd) Vol. 225 Issue 5 Pg. 453-6 (May 2008) ISSN: 0023-2165 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 18454397 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Facial Nerve Diseases (diagnosis)
• Facial Paralysis (diagnosis)
• Humans
• Male
• Rare Diseases (diagnosis)
• Uveoparotid Fever (diagnosis)