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Jeffrey A. Allen, MD; Ashish Adlakha, MD; Peter R. Bergethon, MD

Arch Neurol. 2006;63:1475-1478.

Objective  To describe a patient with reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome following the administration of bevacizumab (Avastin), a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor.

Design  Case report/literature review.

Setting  University hospital.

Patient  A 52-year-old man receiving chemotherapy for stage IV rectal carcinoma.

Results  Clinical and radiographic evidence consistent with reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome was found following the administration of irinotecan hydrochloride, leucovorin calcium, and fluorouracil (FOLFIRI) regimen chemotherapy and bevacizumab.

Conclusions  Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome following treatment with angiogenesis modulators can occur. In addition to raising clinical suspicion in appropriate patients, this report may yield clues to the pathophysiologic underpinnings of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome.

Author Affiliations: Department of Neurology, Tufts–New England Medical Center, Boston, Mass. Dr Bergethon is now with the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston.

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