A man in his 50s with neurological symptoms during cancer treatment

Abstract

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare clinicoradiographic disorder characterized by acute neurological symptoms with typical neuroimaging findings of vasogenic edema in posterior regions of the brain. This complication is linked to a number of medical conditions, and is increasingly being documented as a side effect associated with a number of therapeutic agents. We present a case of PRES as a result of treatment with the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) multikinase inhibitor, regorafenib. A man in his 50’s with known metastatic colorectal cancer presented with headache, vomiting, altered mental state, reduced hand coordination and dexterity, and a homonymous inferior quadrantanopia. Symptoms developed soon after completion of the 3rd regorafenib therapy cycle. Cerebral MRI demonstrated signs indicative of PRES with bilateral vasogenic edema in the occipitotemporal regions. Regorafenib was subsequently discontinued and the patient’s condition improved gradually, with normalization of his neurological symptoms within a month. Albeit rare, PRES has been linked to VEGF treatments, particularly sorafenib, sunitinib and pazopanib, however this is the second reported case linking regorafenib with PRES. PRES is usually associated with good prognosis. However, delayed diagnosis and treatment may lead to permanent neurological symptoms, higher morbidity and in rare cases mortality. Therefore increased awareness of this condition is vital.