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Journal of Medical Case Reports
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Breast Cancer | Case report

Bilateral facial nerve palsy associated with amphiphysin antibody in metastatic breast cancer: a case report

Authors: Vineet Kwatra, Michail Charakidis, Narayan V. Karanth

Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

Paraneoplastic neurological syndrome is an immune-mediated phenomenon where antibodies from tumor cells are produced against neuronal proteins. Amphiphysin antibody is an onconeural antibody linked to the diagnosis of breast cancer and small-cell lung cancer. It is uncommon and typically associated with stiff-person syndrome, of which 90% of patients are eventually diagnosed with breast cancer.

Case presentation

We present a case of a 47-year-old Caucasian woman with metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who developed bilateral facial nerve palsy while on treatment with nab-paclitaxel. The patient was found to have anti-amphiphysin antibody in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. She was treated with methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin, which resulted in partial improvement in her facial nerve palsy.

Conclusions

This case highlights a rare presentation of bilateral facial nerve palsy that likely related to paraneoplastic syndrome associated with the presence of anti-amphiphysin antibody.
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Metadata
Title
Bilateral facial nerve palsy associated with amphiphysin antibody in metastatic breast cancer: a case report
Authors
Vineet Kwatra
Michail Charakidis
Narayan V. Karanth
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Medical Case Reports / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1752-1947
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-021-02727-3

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