Brain lesions following combined treatment with methotrexate and craniospinal irradiation

J Neurooncol. 1991 Apr;10(2):165-71. doi: 10.1007/BF00146878.

Abstract

Eight patients with meningeal seeding by carcinoma or lymphomas were treated with intravenous (i.v.) and/or intrathecal (i.th.) Methotrexate (MTX). Seven patients received additional craniospinal irradiation and in all seven a fatal encephalopathy developed. On the bases of clinical and morphological findings we identified an acute and a delayed form of encephalopathy and concluded that the concurrent administration of Methotrexate and of craniospinal irradiation increases considerably the risk of brain damage.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brain Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Brain Diseases / diagnosis
  • Brain Diseases / etiology
  • Brain Edema / chemically induced
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Child, Preschool
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cranial Irradiation / adverse effects
  • Demyelinating Diseases
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Injections, Spinal
  • Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma / therapy
  • Male
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / secondary
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects*
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Necrosis

Substances

  • Methotrexate