Skip to main content
Top
Published in: BMC Neurology 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Giant Cell Arteritis | Case report

Tocilizumab-associated posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in giant-cell arteritis – case report

Authors: Michaela Butryn, Sabine Mewes, Eugen Feist, Oliver Beuing, Christian Müller, Jens Neumann

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2021

Login to get access

Abstract

Backround

We describe one of the first cases of a Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) under tocilizumab as treatment of Giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Case presentation

A 65-year-old female with known GCA and treatment with Tocilizumab (TCZ) developed a convulsive epileptic seizure for the first time. MRI was suggestive of PRES and an associated left sided occipital hemorrhage. Extensive high blood pressure values were not detected. The patient recovered within a week and no further seizures occurred under anticonvulsive medication.

Conclusion

PRES during the treatment with Tocilizumab hasn’t been described in GCA so far. There are single reports of an association between TCZ and PRES in other entities. Thus, a link between interleukin-6 and the integrity of the vasculature could be considered. The clinical consequence should be a stringent blood pressure monitoring in the ambulant setting of patients receiving TCZ.
Literature
Metadata
Title
Tocilizumab-associated posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in giant-cell arteritis – case report
Authors
Michaela Butryn
Sabine Mewes
Eugen Feist
Oliver Beuing
Christian Müller
Jens Neumann
Publication date
01-12-2021

Other articles of this Issue 1/2021

BMC Neurology 1/2021 Go to the issue