Medication neurotoxicity in children

Pediatr Radiol. 2011 Nov;41(11):1455-64. doi: 10.1007/s00247-011-2191-3. Epub 2011 Jul 23.

Abstract

Medication neurotoxicity may have a variety of imaging manifestations in children. In this pictorial essay, we review the two most common brain injury patterns, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and acute toxic leukoencephalopathy (ATL). Proposed etiologies, salient features on neurological imaging, and methods for differentiating these entities and their implications will be discussed. Certain agents do not fall into these two broad patterns but instead characteristically involve central structures. We individually review several medications and their respective neurotoxic appearances including methotrexate, cyclosporine A, tacrolimus, metronidazole and vigabatrin. Diagnosis of medication neurotoxicity may be achieved by the combination of new-onset neurological deficits, recent initiation of a new therapy agent and distinctive findings on magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical and radiological improvement and/or resolution are frequently observed after the agent is discontinued.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Anti-Infective Agents / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects
  • Bevacizumab
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cyclosporine / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Infant
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects
  • Metronidazole / adverse effects
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / diagnosis*
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / etiology*
  • Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome / chemically induced
  • Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Tacrolimus / adverse effects
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Metronidazole
  • Bevacizumab
  • Cyclosporine
  • Tacrolimus
  • Methotrexate