Auriculotemporal nerve syndrome in association with congenital haemangiopericytoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND Auriculotemporal nerve syndrome is characterised by recurrent episodes of facial gustatory flushing and/or sweating along the cutaneous distribution of the auriculotemporal nerve. The condition is rare in children and is normally a sequel of perinatal birth trauma. We report a case of a sixteen-month-old boy referred by paediatric oncology with recurrent, unilateral facial flushing of the left cheek which had been present for 2 months. The flushing only occurred during mastication. The patient had also received treatment for a rare vascular tumour, congenital haemangiopericytoma, of the left cheek and parotid region. The possible association between auriculotemporal nerve syndrome and congenital haemangiopericytoma is discussed. Knowledge of the presentation, aetiology and management of Auriculotemporal Nerve Syndrome can provide much needed reassurance to those suffering with this condition.