Acute Reversible Life-Threatening Encephalopathy Following Conventional Doses Of Paclitaxel Infusion

Abstract

Paclitaxel is widely used anti-neoplastic agent. Although peripheral neurotoxicity is a well-known side effect, CNS toxicity related to standard dose paclitaxel is extremely uncommon; probably because paclitaxel does not cross the blood brain barrier. We present a patient with advanced stage ovarian carcinoma who developed acute and spontaneous resolving encephalopathy after standard dose of paclitaxel. The patient did not have brain metastasis, or prior whole brain irradiation, or any type of neurosurgery. Radiological imaging studies showed no abnormalities. Other causes of encephalopathy were rule out. Paclitaxel at standard doses may cause CNS toxicity even in the absence of brain metastasis or disrupted blood brain barrier.