Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy caused by azathioprine in systemic lupus erythematosus.
The authors report a case of systemic lupus erythematosus with posterior leukoencephalopathy who presented with headache, tonic-clonic seizure, loss of consciousness and bilateral loss of vision, after taking azathioprine for three weeks. The patient had hypertension with normal eye grounds. The brain CT showed a hypodensity lesion at both bilateral occipital lobes, mainly in the white matter The symptoms and follow-up MRI were improved after the control of hypertension and discontinuation of azathioprine.
Foocharoen
Chingching
C
Division of Allergy-Immunology-Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. fching@kku.ac.th
Tiamkao
Somsak
S
Srinakarin
Jiraporn
J
Chamadol
Nittaya
N
Sawanyawisuth
Kittisak
K
D000328:Adult; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001379:Azathioprine