[Reversible posterior leucoencephalopathy due to hypercalcaemia].
A 60-year-old woman presented with changes in behaviour, cognition, cortical blindness and headache. These symptoms were caused by a reversible posterior leucoencephalopathy syndrome due to hypercalcaemia caused by a multiple myeloma, type IgD wavelength. She was treated with isotonic saline and pamidronate; the serum calcium levels normalised and the radiological brain abnormalities disappeared as did the clinical neurological abnormalities. Hypercalcaemia probably affects cerebral perfusion and has direct neurotoxic effects which can lead to cerebral oedema. This case history illustrates a rare cause of a syndrome that can be easily treated and is completely reversible.
Atrium Medisch Centrum, Postbus 4446, 6401 CX Heerlen. carolijnklomp@hotmail.com
C M C
CM
Klomp
M W C
MW
van den Broek
J
J
Buijs
R
R
Beekman
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019575:Blindness, Cortical / Q000209:etiology; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000077268:Pamidronate
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D000077268:Pamidronate