Paralysie faciale associée à une otite moyenne sécrétante primitive chez le Cavalier King Charles : étude de 2 cas

Primary secretory otitis media is a disease due to an accumulation of mucus in the tympanic bulla, mostly described in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Clinical signs are numerous and can be subtle; facial paralysis is possible but signs of pruritus or pain are most commonly reported. A 4-year-old male and a 7-year-old spayed female Cavalier King Charles have been presented for lip drooping. Neurologic exam showed a generalized decrease in facial muscle motricity. Because of the history of these animals, a primary otitis media was firstly suspected. Imaging of tympanic bullae showed a unilateral or bilateral otitis media. Video-otoscopic examinations and myringotomy revealed acellular mucus in the concerned tympanic bullae. The myringotomy and the flush of tympanic bullae, associated with corticosteroids, improved the clinical signs for several months. These two cases highlight the importance of otitis media in the differential diagnosis of facial paralysis and focus on the originality of primary secretory otitis media in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.