Document Type : Case Report

Author

• Mohamed H. Elshahidi

Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Egypt

Abstract

Marin-Amat syndrome is a rare form of facial synkinesis resulting from aberrant connections between the
trigeminal and facial nerves. This condition manifests as involuntary eyelid closure upon voluntary jaw
movement. It is distinct from the more common Marcus Gunn jaw-winking syndrome (MGJWS), which
involves upper eyelid elevation during mastication. Here, we reported a case of a 64-year-old woman who
developed this syndrome following combat-related maxillofacial trauma to the lateral mandible, which resulted
in a left facial nerve injury. After her mandibular fractures were stabilized using 2 mm plates, her medical
history was notable only for hypothyroidism. Six months post-injury, and following an attempted free fibula flap
procedure, the patient began experiencing involuntary facial movements. These symptoms caused significant
social discomfort and difficulty with eating. Treatment options, including botulinum toxin and surgery, were
discussed; however, the patient opted for a conservative management approach.

Keywords

• Facial nerve
• Marin-Amat syndrome
• Marcus Gunn phenomenon
• Mandibular defect