[Usefulness of the EEG recording in the diagnosis of cyclosporin A-induced encephalopathy].
BACKGROUND
Cyclosporine A is one of the immunosuppressors most frequently used to prevent transplant rejection. Neurotoxicity is one of the complications often associated with it. These complications include acute encephalopathy, lethargy, confusion state, tremor, headache, motor disorders, visual changes and epileptic crises amongst others, even when blood levels are at what are considered to be 'therapeutic' levels.


METHODS
We present the EEG anomalies found in 3 transplant patients (two liver transplants and on double lung transplant) to whom cyclosporin A had been given and who presented with status epilepticus. The EEG recordings showed paroxystic discharges of focal onset in the temporo-occipital areas. They were mainly correlated with the clinical findings of oculomotor and eyelid disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
The topography of the neurophysiological findings supports--as do the other clinico-radiological findings--localization preferably to the posterior areas of cerebral dysfunction associated with cyclosporin A. Although the physiopathological origin of the encephalopathy of patients treated with cyclosporin A seems to correspond to multiple factors, we wish to point out the diagnostic usefulness of the identification of EEG changes localized to the temporo-occipital areas in the recognition of the neurotoxic syndrome in these patients.
Sueiras
M
M
Servicio de Neurologia, Sección de Neurofisiología Clínica. Hospital Creu Roja de Barcelona, España.
González
N
N
Rovira
R
R
Padró
L
L
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D003221:Confusion / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000188:drug therapy; D006261:Headache / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014202:Tremor / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine
Utilidad del registro EEG en al diagnóstico de encefalopatía asociada a ciclosporina A.