Electroacupuncture for oxaliplatin-induced facial numbness: A CARE-compliant case report.

RATIONALE: Facial numbness typically arises from disorders affecting the facial or trigeminal nerves, yet chemotherapy-induced facial numbness is exceedingly rare. Herein, we present a CARE-compliant case of a patient with oxaliplatin-induced facial numbness who experienced symptom improvement following electroacupuncture (EA) treatment.

PATIENT CONCERNS: A 73-year-old patient with rectal cancer developed severe bilateral facial numbness, affecting the periorbital, perinasal, and perioral regions after oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.

DIAGNOSES: The patient was diagnosed with facial numbness secondary to oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy.

INTERVENTIONS: The patient was treated with EA therapy to improve facial numbness symptoms.

OUTCOMES: After 3 EA sessions, the patient's facial numbness improved significantly; a subsequent 3-session course resulted in complete resolution of symptoms.

LESSONS: The case suggests that EA may serve as an effective alternative treatment for chemotherapy-induced facial numbness.