Posterior leukoencephalopathy after combination chemotherapy in a patient with lymphoma

Abstract

Posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome is a recently described syndrome involving mainly parieto-occipital gray/white matter of the brain. It occurs secondary to various clinical entities, like hypertension and immunosuppressive therapy. Few cases after combination chemotherapy have been reported. This study describes a 36-year-old woman with primary refractory T-cell lymphoma, who developed central nervous system toxicity due to treatment with intrathecal methotrexate and intravenous ifosfamide, idarubicine and etoposide given as a salvage regimen. Both clinical features as well as magnetic resonance imaging findings were typical for posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome. The patient died despite anti-hypertensive therapy and haemodialysis. Central nervous system toxicity related to chemotherapeutics and posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome are discussed briefly.

Keywords:

• T-cell lymphoma
• posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome
• methotrexate
• ifosfamide
• idarubicin
• etoposide