3) Facial Nerve Paralysis
is a potential risk of otitis media. The facial nerve passes through the posterior and medial walls of the middle ear, therefore in patients with otitis media, the inflammatory process may irritate the nerve or cause an accumulation of fluid that compress it against the bony wall. In such a case, the patients complain of loss of facial expression on the side of the affected ear. Complete restoration of the facial expression is believed to occur 2 to 3 weeks after treatment of the underlying cause (otitis media).
