Cyclosporine a as a possible cause of upbeating nystagmus

Abstract

Cyclosporine A (CsA) has assumed a central role in the prophylaxis of acute graft-versus-host disease after allogenic bone marrow transplantation; however, its potential neurotoxicity can manifest in 10-35% of patients. In most cases, neurotoxicity is transient, but fatal cases have been described. We report a case of acute upbeating nystagmus appearing subsequent to the hematic peak of CsA in a patient undergoing prophylactic treatment for acute graft-versus-host disease after bone marrow transplantation for chronic myeloid leukemia. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed no abnormalities. Although reduced, the upbeating nystagmus persisted over time. To our knowledge, this is the first case in which upbeating nystagmus manifests as a possible consequence of CsA therapy.

Key Words:

• Upbeating nystagmus
• cyclosporine A
• bone marrow transplantation