title: Facial palsy, an unusual presenting feature of childhood leukemia.
abstract: Facial paralysis is not a well-recognized presenting feature of leukemia in children. We present two infants and one older child in whom the initial manifestation of their leukemia was lower motor neuron facial paresis. Initial diagnosis in all the patients was Bell's palsy. The presence of Bell's palsy in young children requires a complete evaluation, including consideration of leptomeningeal disease. Leukemic children presenting with cranial neuropathy require intensive central nervous system therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Children's Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14222, USA.
authors.forename: Shedthikere
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krishnamurthy
authors.forename: Arie L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Weinstock
authors.forename: Sharon H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Patricia K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Duffner
mesh_terms: D020330:Bell Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007938:Leukemia / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male