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Immunosuppression‐induced leukoencephalopathy from tacrolimus (FK506)
Author(s) -
Small Steven L.,
Bramblett Gregory T.,
Eidelman Benjamin H.,
Fukui Melanie B.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410400406
Subject(s) - tacrolimus , immunosuppression , leukoencephalopathy , medicine , progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy , pathological , organ transplantation , transplantation , pathology , immunology , multiple sclerosis , disease
Tacrolimus (FK506) has recently been approved for immunosuppressionin organ transplantation, although its use is accompanied by a wide spectrum ofneurotoxic side effects. We describe the clinical, radiological, and pathological features of 3 cases of tacrolimus‐related leukoencephalopathy. The syndrome of immunosuppression‐related leukoencephalopathy is proposed as an uncommon neurological syndrome occurring in patintw with organ transplants involving demyelination, in particular in the parieto‐occipital region and centrum semiovale. Although the syndrome is not associated with a particular (absolute) serum level of tacrolimus, it resolves spontaneously upon decreasing the dose. The tacrolimus‐related syndrome has a similar radiographic and pathologic appearance as the analogous syndrome that occurs in patients taking cyclosporine.