Unilateral Facial Paralysis and Ophthalmoplegia Caused by Lower Lip Carcinoma: A Case Report

We discuss a case of lower lip carcinoma which presented with atypical symptoms; facial paralysis, conductive type hearing loss, and ophthalmoplegia. Due to an earlier resection, no mass was evident on the primary examination. Diagnostic imaging revealed a mass originating from the lower lip, the perineural spread of the tumor along the left inferior alveolar nerve to the left infratemporal fossa and the left foramen ovale. Through a retrograde course from the foramen ovale, the tumor extended the ipsilateral cavernous sinus, Meckel’s cave, and cisternal portion of the CN V. This atypical spread pattern of the tumor caused symptoms that may be attributed to a diagnosis related to the ear. The biopsy confirmed squamous cell carcinoma, and the patient was referred for chemotherapy and radiotherapy.