A rare case of generalized tonic-clonic seizure related to paclitaxel infusion.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Paclitaxel (Taxol) is an antineoplastic agent approved in the United States for the treatment of lung, breast, cervical, pancreatic cancers and Kaposi sarcoma. Paclitaxel does not cross the blood brain barrier, so central nervous system adverse effects are uncommon. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe a 60-year-old woman with Stage IIIa squamous cell carcinoma of the left lung, who developed a generalized tonic-clonic seizure during her first infusion of paclitaxel. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Seizure related to a hypersensitivity reaction from paclitaxel infusion are rare but could be life-threatening and require immediate recognition, treatment and exclusion of other possible aetiologies.