| Home | E-Submission | Sitemap | Editorial Office |  
top_img
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2011;50(4): 304-310.
doi: https://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2011.50.4.304
Leukoencephalopathy and Disseminated Necrotizing Leukoencephalopathy Following Intrathecal Methotrexate Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy for Central Nerve System Lymphoma or Leukemia.
Ji Yeon Kim, Sung Tae Kim, Do Hyun Nam, Jung Il Lee, Kwan Park, Doo Sik Kong
1Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Kds026@skku.edu
2Department of Radiology, Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE
Intrathecal methotrexate (MTX) therapy combined with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is one of the major treatment modalities for leukemia and lymphoma involving the central nervous system (CNS). The purpose of this study was to retrospectively determine the incidences of leukoencephalopathy and disseminated necrotizing leukoencephalopathy (DNL) following intrathecal MTX therapy for CNS lymphoma or leukemia and to assess the potential risk factors.
METHODS
Between January 2000 and August 2009, 143 patients with CNS lymphoma or leukemia received intrathecal MTX therapy alone or in combination with WBRT at a single institution. Patients were followed up clinically and radiologically at regular two- or three-month intervals. Medical records were reviewed to obtain information regarding the patients' demographics, medical histories, radiologic characteristics, treatments, and clinical courses.
RESULTS
On follow-up MR images, leukoencephalopathy was found in 95 of 143 patients (66.4%). The median time to develop leukoencephalopathy was 6.6 months. Among those with leukoencephalopathy, four patients showed seven extensive white-matter changes with strongly enhancing lesions demonstrating DNL. Histological confirmation was done in six lesions of three patients and radiological diagnosis alone in one patient. Four lesions spontaneously disappeared on MR images without any treatment, with a mean duration of 14 months before disappearance of DNL.
CONCLUSION
Leukoencephalopathy is a common phenomenon that occurs following intrathecal MTX therapy; however, DNL occurs at a very low incidence. For newly developed enhancing lesions, consideration for the occurrence of DNL should be taken to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures or therapies.
Key Words: Leukoencephalopathy; Methotrexate; Intrathecal; Lymphoma; Leukemia
TOOLS
Full text via DOI  Full text via DOI
Download Citation  Download Citation
Share:      
METRICS
27
Crossref
24
Scopus
6,065
View
112
Download
Related article
Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome Following Intravenous Chemotherapy for Medulloblastoma in a Child.  2004 December;36(6)
Editorial Office
1F, 18, Heolleung-ro 569-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
TEL: +82-2-525-7552   FAX: +82-2-525-7554   E-mail: office@jkns.or.kr
About |  Browse Articles |  Current Issue |  For Authors and Reviewers
Copyright © Korean Neurosurgical Society.                 Developed in M2PI
Close layer