Transient leukoencephalopathy after intrathecal methotrexate mimicking stroke

Amit Agarwal; Kanupriya Vijay; Krishnamoorthy Thamburaj; Tao Ouyang

doi:10.1007/s10140-010-0931-6

Transient leukoencephalopathy after intrathecal methotrexate mimicking stroke

Amit Agarwal, Kanupriya Vijay, Krishnamoorthy Thamburaj, Tao Ouyang

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Methotrexate (MTX) is an indispensable antimetabolite for the treatment of oncological and immunological disorders in all age groups. It can be administrated intravenously as well as intrathecally and may be used alone or in combination with other drugs. Chronic leukoencephalopathy is a well-known side effect of MTX, especially in conjunction with intrathecal administration. However, acute neurotoxicity with confusion, disorientation, seizures, and focal deficits may also be seen. This can clinically mimic stroke with restricted diffusion on MRI. However, unlike stroke, there is resolution of clinical and imaging findings within 1-4 weeks. We report two cases of transient leukoencephalopathy following intrathecal methotrexate, with complete clinical and radiological resolutions on follow-up.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	345-347
Number of pages	3
Journal	Emergency Radiology
Volume	18
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-010-0931-6
State	Published - Aug 2011

Keywords

Methotrexate (MTX)
Restricted diffusion
Stroke

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Emergency Medicine
Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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10.1007/s10140-010-0931-6

Cite this

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abstract = "Methotrexate (MTX) is an indispensable antimetabolite for the treatment of oncological and immunological disorders in all age groups. It can be administrated intravenously as well as intrathecally and may be used alone or in combination with other drugs. Chronic leukoencephalopathy is a well-known side effect of MTX, especially in conjunction with intrathecal administration. However, acute neurotoxicity with confusion, disorientation, seizures, and focal deficits may also be seen. This can clinically mimic stroke with restricted diffusion on MRI. However, unlike stroke, there is resolution of clinical and imaging findings within 1-4 weeks. We report two cases of transient leukoencephalopathy following intrathecal methotrexate, with complete clinical and radiological resolutions on follow-up.",

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AU - Thamburaj, Krishnamoorthy

AU - Ouyang, Tao

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AB - Methotrexate (MTX) is an indispensable antimetabolite for the treatment of oncological and immunological disorders in all age groups. It can be administrated intravenously as well as intrathecally and may be used alone or in combination with other drugs. Chronic leukoencephalopathy is a well-known side effect of MTX, especially in conjunction with intrathecal administration. However, acute neurotoxicity with confusion, disorientation, seizures, and focal deficits may also be seen. This can clinically mimic stroke with restricted diffusion on MRI. However, unlike stroke, there is resolution of clinical and imaging findings within 1-4 weeks. We report two cases of transient leukoencephalopathy following intrathecal methotrexate, with complete clinical and radiological resolutions on follow-up.

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Transient leukoencephalopathy after intrathecal methotrexate mimicking stroke

Abstract

Keywords

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