title: Intracystic interferon-α treatment leads to neurotoxicity in craniopharyngioma: case report.
abstract: Craniopharyngioma is a benign, cystic suprasellar tumor that can be treated with intracystic chemotherapy. Interferon-α (IFN-α) has been gaining popularity as an intracystic treatment for craniopharyngioma because of its efficacy and supposed benign neurotoxicity profile. In this case report the authors describe a patient who, while receiving intracystic IFN-α, suffered a neurological event, which was believed to be related to drug leakage outside the cyst. This is the first report of a focal neurological deficit potentially attributable to intracystic IFN-α therapy, highlighting the fact that IFN-α may have neurotoxic effects on the central nervous system. Given this case and the results of a literature review, the authors suggest that a positive leak test is a relative contraindication to intracystic IFN-α treatment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia;
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia and British Columbia Children's Hospital; and.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bonfield
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia;|Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia and British Columbia Children's Hospital; and.
authors.forename: Ash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singhal
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Juliette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hukin
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia;|Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia and British Columbia Children's Hospital; and.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Steinbok
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001039:Aphasia, Broca / Q000139:chemically induced; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D001761:Bleomycin
keywords: IFN = interferon; SSPE = subacute sclerosing panencephalitis; craniopharyngioma; interferon-α; intracystic therapy; oncology