Encephalopathy in Acute Leukaemia Associated with Methotrexate Therapy

• DOI: 10.1136/adc.47.253.344
• Publication Date: 2008-12-22T21:05:14Z
• Authors: H. E. M. Kay; P. J. Knapton; J. P. O'Sullivan; D. G. Wells; R. F. Harris; E. M. Innes; J. Stuart; F. C. M. Schwartz; E. N. Thompson
• Keywords: Coma (optics); Irritability; Folinic acid; Somnolence; Viral encephalitis

Seven patients are described in whom dementia developed during treatment with methotrexate for meningeal leukaemia. The presented confusion, tremor, ataxia, irritability, and somnolence. There were major epileptic fits two cases one case there was progression to coma death. Necropsy findings the latter showed infarcted areas temporal parietal lobes, no evidence of active leukaemic disease or viral encephalitis. condition has not responded radiotherapy positive encephalitis been obtained. On other hand, when treated folinic folic acid deterioration arrested some improvement; thus appears be due methotrexate. occurrence so many within past year a previously is probably attributable introduction intensive cytotoxic therapy directed against