Garcin syndrome caused by parotid gland adenoid cystic carcinoma

RATIONALE Garcin syndrome is characterized by the gradual involvement, and ultimately, unilateral paralysis of at least 7 and sometimes all cranial nerves, without intracranial hypertension or any long tract signs. PATIENT CONCERNS We report the case of a 59-year-old woman who presented with Garcin syndrome, which gradually progressed over a period of 2 years. DIAGNOSIS A left parotid gland biopsy revealed parotid gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (PGACC) with perineural invasion of a peripheral nerve bundle and lymph node metastasis. INTERVENTIONS The patient was treated 3 times with local-field palliative radiotherapy. OUTCOMES She died after several months. LESSONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of PGACC presenting as Garcin syndrome. PGACC is a rare tumor with a high propensity for perineural spread, and it should be considered as a possible cause of Garcin syndrome.