Cerebral atrophy following ACTH therapy.
In a study of 15 patients with infantile spasms and Lennox syndrome 4 (26.7%) showed no cerebral atrophy and 11 (73.3%) showed mild ventricular and sulcal enlargement before ACTH therapy. Ventricular and sulcal enlargement increased soon after ACTH therapy in most patients. Cerebral atrophy was reversible at over 1 month after ACTH therapy. However, in three instances, cerebral atrophy was not reversible, and one patient with infantile spasms had chronic subdural effusion, which appeared to be a complication of treatment with ACTH. Patients on ACTH therapy should be carefully monitored.
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001284:Atrophy; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004831:Epilepsies, Myoclonic / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013035:Spasm / Q000188:drug therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone