Carbamazepine-responsive paroxysmal nausea and vomiting in a patient with meningeal carcinomatosis

Palliat Med. 2006 Jul;20(5):549-50. doi: 10.1191/0269216306pm1161xx.

Abstract

In neurology, paroxysmal syndromes are well-known, eg, as manifestations of multiple sclerosis. We report a patient with meningeal carcinomatosis, who presented with therapy-refractory nausea and vomiting. The clinical suspicion of a paroxysmal syndrome prompted a trial of carbamazepine, which resulted in complete cessation of the symptoms. In cancer patients with central nervous system (CNS) involvement and therapy-refractory symptoms with sudden onset, carbamazepine treatment should be considered.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Antiemetics / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms
  • Carbamazepine / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma / secondary*
  • Drug Resistance
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Nausea / drug therapy*
  • Nausea / etiology
  • Syndrome
  • Vomiting / drug therapy*
  • Vomiting / etiology

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Antiemetics
  • Carbamazepine