Reversible posterior leucoencephalopathy syndrome: a cause of temporary cortical blindness

• Published in: British journal of ophthalmology Vol. 89; no. 7; pp. 924 - 925
• Main Authors: Niyadurupola, N, Burnett, C A M, Allen, L E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JR BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.07.2005; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; Copyright 2005 British Journal of Ophthalmology
• Subjects: Blindness, Cortical - etiology; Burkitt Lymphoma - drug therapy; Chemotherapy; Child; Humans; Hypertension; Hypertensive Encephalopathy - complications; Letter; leucoencephalopathy; Male; Medical imaging; Nifedipine - therapeutic use; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Patients; Syndrome; Treatment Outcome; Vasodilator Agents - therapeutic use; Visual Acuity - drug effects
• ISSN: 0007-1161; 1468-2079
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.2004.060400

Reversible posterior leucoencephalopathy (RPLS) describes a syndrome of headaches, confusion, seizures, and visual disturbances associated with transient characteristic lesions on neuroimaging, predominantly affecting the posterior region of the brain. 1 RPLS affects patients with hypertension, eclampsia, renal failure, and those on immunosuppressants and chemotherapeutic agents. Case report A 10 year old boy with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia affecting his maxilla was commenced on chemotherapy with intravenous vincristine and cyclophosphamide, oral prednisolone and folinic acid, together with intrathecal methotrexate, cytarabine, and hydrocortisone for central nervous system extension.