Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy induced by cancer chemotherapy.

Abstract

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy, defined by both clinical and neuroimaging findings, can affect children receiving chemotherapy. The syndrome is characterized by hypertension, alterations in mental status, seizures, hallucinations, and acute visual changes and is associated with abnormalities seen in magnetic resonance imaging of symmetric white matter lesions, especially in the parietal and occipital lobes. The etiology of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy is as yet unknown. Presented here are four cases of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy induced by chemotherapy, with a brief review of the literature and consideration of possible mechanisms. A diagnosis of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy should be considered when patients receiving cancer chemotherapy suddenly develop hypertension followed by neurologic complications, especially if presenting with seizures.

• Authors: Birol Baytan, Ozlem Ozdemir, Metin Demirkaya, Melike Sezgin Evim, Adalet Meral Gunes
• Journal: Pediatric neurology (Pediatr Neurol) Vol. 43 Issue 3 Pg. 197-201 (Sep 2010) ISSN: 1873-5150 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20691942 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents

Topics

• Adolescent
• Antineoplastic Agents (adverse effects)
• Child
• Female
• Humans
• Leukoencephalopathies (chemically induced, complications, pathology)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Neoplasms (drug therapy)