Recurrent facial palsy occurring with metastatic thymic carcinoid and nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy

A 74-year-old man was diagnosed with thymic carcinoid metastatic to the mediastinum. Two years later, he developed left and then right facial palsy. Four additional episodes of facial palsy developed within 2 years, followed by an occurrence of nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy. While recurrent facial palsy is uncommon, it may occur in the presence of various systemic conditions such as carcinoid, diabetes, infection, and neoplasm. The presence of recurrent facial palsy logically warrants an evaluation for systemic disease.