Idiopathic Bell's Palsy in a Patient With Metastatic Lung Adenocarcinoma Receiving Nab-Paclitaxel and Pregabalin: A Rare Clinical Observation.

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy drugs are known to cause peripheral neuropathy of varying severity. However, Bell's palsy, which is an acute lower motor neuron facial nerve palsy, is rarely observed in oncology patients receiving chemotherapy.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of Bell's palsy in a 74-year-old male metastatic lung adenocarcinoma patient while on treatment with nab-paclitaxel and pregabalin. Temporal association, diagnostic workup, and management are discussed in this case report to highlight the importance of differentiating neurological adverse effects in cancer therapy.

CONCLUSION

The most likely causative factor remained nab-paclitaxel-induced Bell's palsy in our patient. However, viral reactivation due to immunosuppression resulting from drug toxicity cannot be completely ruled out.