Management of Cisplatin-Induced Encephalopathy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Cisplatin is a cancer therapy drug commonly used. It is well-known for its antineoplastic properties, as well as for its numerous adverse effects, particularly its neurotoxicity. Symptoms associated with a central nervous system injury are unusual but can present a diagnostic challenge. Here, we report a case of a 62-year-old patient who was diagnosed with undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy was administrated. Five days following the second cycle of treatment, the patient presented neurological disorders. A full biological workup and brain imaging were requested and revealed no abnormalities. The diagnosis of cisplatin encephalopathy was then suspected. Twenty days after cessation of cisplatin therapy, the neurological symptoms began to improve. Based on our case and a review of the literature, cisplatin-induced encephalopathy remains unusual. Its diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical, biological, and radiological criteria and requires the exclusion of other etiologies for neurological disorders in a patient being treated for cancer. Treatment is symptomatic and depends on stopping cisplatin therapy. These neurological adverse effects are often transitory and disappear without major repercussions.

Keywords: carcinoma; case report; cisplatin; encephalopathy; nasopharyngeal.

Figure 1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, axial T1-weighted image, showing no abnormalities

Figure 2. Normal computed tomography (CT) scan in axial cerebral reconstruction