The posttraumatic paralysis is a rare complication of different types of the temporal bone damage. Its diagnosis is often done after several years of evolution, sometimes even at the stage of complications. A case of posttraumatic paralysis is presented that was revealed by a facial nerve paralysis after a crash of the external auditory canal underlining the importance of the otoscopic and radiological regular monitoring of the patients with a traumatism of the temporal bone.

Treatment -
Patients with traumatic facial paralysis are often treated empirically with a short course of oral steroids. In contrast to idiopathic facial paralysis or Bell palsy, no studies confirm or dispute the utility of steroid treatment after traumatic facial paralysis. The potential risks of using corticosteroids in a patient with multiple trauma and possible risk of infectious complications must be weighed against the unknown probability for benefit in decreasing the risk of permanent facial paralysis.
Proper eye care with use of artificial tears and night patching should be implemented as long as eye closure is impaired.

Conclusion -
The posttraumatic paralysis is a rare complication of the temporal bone trauma. Its diagnosis is often done in the majority of cases after several years of evolution, sometimes even at the stage of complications that can compromise the functional and even vital prognosis, hence the need for regular monitoring, by otoscopy and/or CT-scan of the temporal bone, of any patient with a temporal bone trauma in order to make an early diagnosis and lead to a therapy as soon as possible.