title: Isotretinoin-induced encephalopathy.
abstract: A 16-year-old male started on isotretinoin 80 mg daily for acne developed persistent headache 3 weeks later, with myoclonus and confusion 10 weeks later. During initial hospital assessment his Glasgow Coma Scale score fell acutely to 8 and he required ventilation. Brain imaging and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis were normal and an electroencephalogram (EEG) showed features of encephalopathy. No cause was found. He was extubated after 24 hours and made a full recovery. This is the first report of a generalized encephalopathy thought likely to be due to isotretinoin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Hampshire and County Hospital, Winchester, United Kingdom. avkwong@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gibb
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003221:Confusion / Q000139:chemically induced; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D015474:Isotretinoin