title: Cetuximab-induced aseptic meningitis: case report and review of a rare adverse event.
abstract: Cetuximab is a commonly used antibody agent in the treatment of colorectal or head and neck cancer. Although it is generally well tolerated in most patients, cetuximab has been associated with some rare but serious adverse events. Aseptic meningitis is one such distinctly uncommon adverse drug reaction.
  
  
  
  We present the case of a middle-aged Caucasian patient, who presented with fever and headache within a few hours of starting cetuximab therapy and was diagnosed with cetuximab-induced aseptic meningitis after a complete workup.
  
  
  
  To our knowledge, this is the ninth case of cetuximab-induced aseptic meningitis reported in literature. Because of a nonspecific clinical presentation, this adverse drug reaction can be easily misdiagnosed. It is important to increase awareness of this potentially severe reaction among oncologists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph Hospital, Paris, France. c.maritaz@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maritaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph Hospital, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Metz
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Saint-Joseph Hospital, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Nabil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Baba-Hamed
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph Hospital, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Méryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jardin-Szucs
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, University hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Gaël
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Deplanque
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068818:Cetuximab / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008582:Meningitis, Aseptic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000068818:Cetuximab
keywords: Aseptic meningitis; Cancer; Cetuximab