Facial palsy may be associated with either acute or chronic otitis media
In the acute setting, it results from inflammation of the seventh nerve in its middle ear segment
Treatment consists of myringotomy for drainage and culture, followed by intravenous antibiotics (based on culture results)
The use of corticosteroids is controversial
The prognosis is excellent, with complete recovery in most cases
Facial palsy associated with chronic otitis media usually evolves slowly due to chronic pressure on the seventh nerve in the middle ear or mastoid by cholesteatoma

Treatment

requires surgical correction of the underlying disease
The prognosis is less favorable than for facial palsy associated with acute otitis media