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Methotrexate‐Induced Toxic Leukoencephalopathy
Author(s) -
Gowan Geri M.,
Herrington Jon D.,
Simonetta Alexander B.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.22.13.1183.33528
Subject(s) - leukoencephalopathy , medicine , ommaya reservoir , methotrexate , adverse effect , central nervous system , malignancy , surgery , chemotherapy , disease
Drug‐induced leukoencephalopathy is a devastating adverse event that can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Risk factors include advanced age, administration of certain chemotherapies, presence of an Ommaya device, central nervous system malignancy, and most important, exposure to cranial radiation. A 73–year‐old woman developed leukoencephalopathy 2 months after her last dose of intraventricular methotrexate. Although leukoencephalopathy is a severe adverse effect of the agent, her case is different because it occurred without prior exposure to cranial radiation.