[Multifocal progressive leukoencephalitis in a patient given fludarabine for chronic lymphoid leukemia]

Rev Neurol (Paris). 2002 Nov;158(11):1121-3.
[Article in French]

Abstract

A 74-year- man was hospitalized for subacute aphasia and right hemiparesis. He had had chronic lymphoid leukemia for 11 years and had been treated 5 months earlier with 3 courses of fludarabine. Magnetic resonance imaging showed lesions of the temporo-occipital white matter compatible with progressive multifocal leukoencephalitis (PML). The presence of JC virus was demonstrated first by in situ hybridation after a brain biopsy and second with polymerase chain reaction on CSF. The diagnosis of PML was confirmed. The causality of fludarabine treatment is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Biopsy
  • Brain / pathology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / chemically induced*
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Vidarabine / adverse effects*
  • Vidarabine / analogs & derivatives*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Vidarabine
  • fludarabine