title: Capecitabine and sixth cranial nerve palsy.
abstract: Capecitabine is an oral chemotherapeutic agent converted to 5 fluorouracil (5-FU). Neurotoxicity associated with the medication encompasses both central and peripheral nervous systems. We describe a 60 year old man with colonic carcinoma who developed diplopia due to a sixth nerve palsy following the use of capecitabine which is an orally administered prodrug of 5-FU. An MRI of brain did not reveal a space occupying lesion or vascular insult to account for his cranial nerve palsy. The sixth nerve palsy resolved spontaneously once capecitabine was withdrawn. Physicians in all walks of life are increasingly likely to come across such patients and should familiarize themselves with toxicities consequent to chemotherapy. Further research is needed to elucidate the cause of capecitabine associated neurotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Medicine, Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sonali
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dasgupta
authors.forename: Chineme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Adilieje
authors.forename: Amlan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Moeen ul Haq
authors.initials: Mu
authors.lastname: Sheikh
mesh_terms: D020434:Abducens Nerve Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000069287:Capecitabine; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069287:Capecitabine; D005472:Fluorouracil