Bilateral facial nerve palsies secondary to chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy following adalimumab treatment

Abstract

Purpose Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) presents uncommonly with cranial nerve involvement with ophthalmological implications. Methods We report the case of a 37 year-old man who developed CIDP which manifested as progressive and relapsing bilateral facial nerve palsy with lagophthalmos and exposure keratopathy, in the setting of treatment of Crohn's disease with the anti-TNF-alpha agent adalimumab. Results Symptoms gradually improved over the course of several months following withdrawal of adalimumab and treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and oral prednisolone. Conclusion Bilateral facial nerve involvement occurs uncommonly as a feature of CIDP in its..