Facial palsy as the initial symptom of a lymphoreticular malignancy. Case report.

In this case report an adult patient is described who initially manifested a peripheral facial palsy mimicking 'Bell's palsy', which later on appeared to be the first manifestation of a lymphoreticular malignancy. Cranial nerve involvement appears to be very rare as a first symptom of malignant systemic disease. The importance of additional investigations including lumbar puncture and CSF cytology in cases of facial nerve palsy is stressed.