Sundaram ANE, Simmons Z, Towfighi J, Sheehan J, Reichwein R. Contralateral cranial polyneuropathy due to perineural invasion by a cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
J Clin Neuromuscul Dis 2010;
11:132-136. [PMID:
20215987 DOI:
10.1097/cnd.0b013e3181ca3421]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous malignancies may spread to underlying nerves, a process known as perineural invasion (PNI). We report a patient who was found to have PNI presenting as a cranial polyneuropathy on the contralateral side of the face many years after the resection of a squamous cell carcinoma. All diagnostic testing was unrevealing until nerve biopsy was performed. This emphasizes the long asymptomatic period between treatment of a cutaneous malignancy and detection of PNI, and the development of PNI at a site distant from the original malignancy. Biopsy of a clinically involved nerve may permit diagnosis of PNI when other studies are normal.
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