title: Reversible MRI lesions due to pegaspargase treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
abstract: L-Asparaginase is the major induction-phase agent for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and an important adjuvant in treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). However, L-asparaginase-induced disturbances of clotting homeostasis may result in thrombosis or hemorrhage. Thrombotic occlusion of small cerebral veins has been reported in patients with ALL treated with this agent, but have not been described in NHL patients or those treated with the long-acting synthetic congener, pegaspargase. We report a 16-year-old boy with NHL who developed a focal motor seizure 15 min after receiving intravenous pegaspargase. MRI of the brain demonstrated multiple cortical and subcortical lesions that most likely represented focal brain edema due to thrombotic venous occlusion, which improved remarkably within 3 days and completely resolved within 3 weeks without specific intervention or permanent clinical consequences. This process must be considered when such changes are detected in NHL patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology; University of Wisconsin and Clinics; Madison, USA.
authors.forename: K O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Bushara
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Rust
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C042705:pegaspargase; D001215:Asparaginase