Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Clinical Sarcoma Research 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Sarcoma | Case Report

Ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy: the EEG with frontal intermittent delta activity, and rapid resolution with methylene blue: A case report

Authors: Juliette E. Hamilton, Michael Alexander, Fergal C. Kelleher

Published in: Clinical Sarcoma Research | Issue 1/2020

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Encephalopathy is an established side effect of the chemotherapeutic agent, ifosfamide, occurring in 10–30% of cases. The EEG commonly shows non-specific features of encephalopathy, and rarely shows frontal intermittent rhythmic delta activity (FIRDA).

Case presentation

This is a case report of a 71 year old woman with pleomorphic sarcoma, who developed ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy with her second dose of ifosfamide. It shows the characteristic EEG findings that have been described previously with ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy and additionally the unusual and rare finding of FIRDA. This was followed up by a further EEG showing resolution of the encephalopathy, after administration of methylene blue, coinciding with rapid and complete resolution of her symptoms.

Conclusion

The rapid resolution of the encephalopathy on the EEG after administration of methylene blue adds further evidence to its effectiveness as a treatment for the disorder.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Richards A, Marshall H, McQuary A. Evaluation of methylene blue, thiamine, and/or albumin in the prevention of ifosfamide-related neurotoxicity. J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2011;17(4):372–80.CrossRef Richards A, Marshall H, McQuary A. Evaluation of methylene blue, thiamine, and/or albumin in the prevention of ifosfamide-related neurotoxicity. J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2011;17(4):372–80.CrossRef
2.
go back to reference Kataria PS, Kendre PP, Patel AA. Ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy precipitated by aprepitant: a rarely manifested side effect of drug interaction. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2017;8(1):38–40.CrossRef Kataria PS, Kendre PP, Patel AA. Ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy precipitated by aprepitant: a rarely manifested side effect of drug interaction. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2017;8(1):38–40.CrossRef
3.
go back to reference Liu YL, Tsai SH, Chang FW, Yu MH. Ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy in patients with uterine sarcoma. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2010;49(1):77–80.CrossRef Liu YL, Tsai SH, Chang FW, Yu MH. Ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy in patients with uterine sarcoma. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2010;49(1):77–80.CrossRef
4.
go back to reference Sejourne A, Noal S, Boone M, Bihan C, Sassier M, Andrejak M, et al. Two cases of fatal encephalopathy related to ifosfamide: an adverse role of aprepitant? Case Rep Oncol. 2014;7(3):669–72.CrossRef Sejourne A, Noal S, Boone M, Bihan C, Sassier M, Andrejak M, et al. Two cases of fatal encephalopathy related to ifosfamide: an adverse role of aprepitant? Case Rep Oncol. 2014;7(3):669–72.CrossRef
5.
go back to reference Lo Y, Shen LJ, Chen WH, Dong YH, Wu FL. Risk factors of ifosfamide-related encephalopathy in adult patients with cancer: a retrospective analysis. J Formos Med Assoc. 2016;115(9):744–51.CrossRef Lo Y, Shen LJ, Chen WH, Dong YH, Wu FL. Risk factors of ifosfamide-related encephalopathy in adult patients with cancer: a retrospective analysis. J Formos Med Assoc. 2016;115(9):744–51.CrossRef
6.
go back to reference Pelgrims J, De Vos F, Van den Brande J, Schrijvers D, Prove A, Vermorken JB. Methylene blue in the treatment and prevention of ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy: report of 12 cases and a review of the literature. Br J Cancer. 2000;82(2):291–4.CrossRef Pelgrims J, De Vos F, Van den Brande J, Schrijvers D, Prove A, Vermorken JB. Methylene blue in the treatment and prevention of ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy: report of 12 cases and a review of the literature. Br J Cancer. 2000;82(2):291–4.CrossRef
7.
go back to reference Gharaibeh EZ, Telfah M, Powers BC, Salacz ME. Hydration, methylene blue, and thiamine as a prevention regimen for ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy. J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2019;25(7):1784–6.CrossRef Gharaibeh EZ, Telfah M, Powers BC, Salacz ME. Hydration, methylene blue, and thiamine as a prevention regimen for ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy. J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2019;25(7):1784–6.CrossRef
8.
go back to reference Ginimuge PR, Jyothi SD. Methylene blue: revisited. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2010;180(4):517–20. Ginimuge PR, Jyothi SD. Methylene blue: revisited. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2010;180(4):517–20.
9.
go back to reference Dericioglu N, Khasiyev F, Arsava EM, Topcuoglu MA. Frontal intermittent rhythmic delta activity (FIRDA) in the neurological intensive care: prevalence, determinants, and clinical significance. Clin EEG Neurosci. 2018;49(4):272–7.CrossRef Dericioglu N, Khasiyev F, Arsava EM, Topcuoglu MA. Frontal intermittent rhythmic delta activity (FIRDA) in the neurological intensive care: prevalence, determinants, and clinical significance. Clin EEG Neurosci. 2018;49(4):272–7.CrossRef
10.
go back to reference Gudson AMMR, Chen X. Clinical and EEG characteristics of ifosfamide-related encephalopathy. J Clin Neurophysiol. 2019;36(2):150–4.CrossRef Gudson AMMR, Chen X. Clinical and EEG characteristics of ifosfamide-related encephalopathy. J Clin Neurophysiol. 2019;36(2):150–4.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy: the EEG with frontal intermittent delta activity, and rapid resolution with methylene blue: A case report
Authors
Juliette E. Hamilton
Michael Alexander
Fergal C. Kelleher
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Clinical Sarcoma Research / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 2045-3329
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13569-020-00147-3

Other articles of this Issue 1/2020

Clinical Sarcoma Research 1/2020 Go to the issue
Webinar | 19-02-2024 | 17:30 (CET)

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on antibody–drug conjugates in cancer

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are novel agents that have shown promise across multiple tumor types. Explore the current landscape of ADCs in breast and lung cancer with our experts, and gain insights into the mechanism of action, key clinical trials data, existing challenges, and future directions.

Dr. Véronique Diéras
Prof. Fabrice Barlesi
Developed by: Springer Medicine