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A case of vinblastine overdose managed with plasma exchange
Author(s) -
Spiller Monica,
Marson Piero,
Perilongo Giorgio,
Farina Maria,
Carli Modesto,
Bisogno Gianni
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.20284
Subject(s) - medicine , vinblastine , toxicity , drug overdose , chemotherapy , peripheral neuropathy , therapeutic plasma exchange , esophagitis , anesthesia , pediatrics , surgery , poison control , endocrinology , emergency medicine , disease , reflux , diabetes mellitus
Severe, life‐threatening toxicity may be caused by errors in chemotherapy administration. To contribute with some useful information on drug‐induced toxic effects and salvage therapy, we report a case of vinblastine (VBL) overdose (25 mg/m 2 ) in a 12‐year‐old child affected by an end‐stage metastatic primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Early signs of toxicity were acute, severe musculoskeletal pain and fever. This was followed by intestinal hypotonia, severe esophagitis, and peripheral neuropathy. Two consecutive plasma exchange procedures were performed at 4 and 18 hr after the administration of the overdose of VBL. The overall toxicity this child experienced was much less severe than expected; this finding, in combination with the known pharmacokinectis data of VBL in children, made us hypothesize that plasma exchange might have had a role in lowering the side effects of drug over dosage. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.