title: Diffusion weighted MR imaging of 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin-induced leukoencephalopathy.
abstract: A 55-year-old man treated with 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin for advanced sigmoid colon cancer presented with seizures, progressive gait and balance difficulties with frequent falls and slurring of speech. After three cycles of chemotherapy, brain magnetic resonance imaging using diffusion-weighted imaging clearly revealed the presence of high signal intensity in the deep white matter of the bilateral cerebral hemispheres, including the corpus callosum symmetrically. A diagnosis of acute leukoencephalopathy was made based on these findings. His clinical symptoms normalized after the discontinuation of the chemotherapy. Early detection of drug-induced leukoencephalopathy is important as the clinical symptoms can be reversed by early discontinuation of the causative drug. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is a useful modality for the early detection and definitive diagnosis of this characteristic encephalopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bansal
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paul
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D056784:Leukoencephalopathies / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D020551:Pulse Therapy, Drug; D012811:Sigmoid Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008775:Methylprednisolone