An unusual complication of epistaxis.

Ten days after left-sided external carotid artery ligation for control of profuse epistaxis a complete left-sided facial nerve palsy developed in a 25-year-old male. Abnormal bleeding or clotting disorders had been excluded. It is postulated that either thrombosis or embolus obstructed the petrosal branch from the middle meningeal artery on the same side with subsequent ischaemia resulting in nerve degeneration of the intratemporal portion of the facial nerve.