Abstract
We report a case of reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a 16-year-old girl
with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), who is undergoing during consolidation
chemotherapy composed of BH-AC (N4-behenoyl-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl cytosine)
and idarubicin. On the 6th day of chemotherapy, she was in a drowsy state
following generalized tonic clonic seizure lasting 20 minutes. MR images
revealed extensive cortical and subcortical white matter brain edema. Alertness
returned over the 24 hr following by the discontinuation of BH-AC and
intravenous administration of diphenylhydantoin, although she complained of
intermittent headaches and visual disturbance. She gradually recovered from
these symptoms during subsequent 7 days. Previously noted abnormal signal
intensities have nearly disappreared on follow-up MRI obtained on the 22nd day
after the first seizure. She was discharged without any neurologic sequela. This
case suggests that BH-AC, a derivative of cytosine arabinoside
(1-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine) could be a cause of reversible
encephalopathy syndrome.