Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome Following Chemotherapy and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Combination in a Patient with Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare neurological complication that occurs following a sudden blood pressure increase. We report the case of a 64-year-old patient presenting PRES several hours after the administration of a combination of chemotherapy and a checkpoint inhibitor (carboplatin-etoposide-atezolizumab) for small-cell lung cancer. He presented consciousness disorders associated with partial epileptic seizure secondarily generalized. His arterial blood pressure was elevated and brain imaging showed multiple bilateral subcortical parietal, temporal, occipital and cerebellar T2 high signals, predominantly in the posterior region. There were no abnormal T1 signals nor bleeding but a left apparent diffusion coefficient restriction was noted. On arterial spin labelling perfusion sequences, there was an increased perfusion within the left temporo-parieto-occipital, left thalamic and right cerebellar regions. Finally, the neurological symptoms completely regressed after several days of optimal antihypertensive and antiepileptic treatment. The clinical context and radiological features, as well as the progressive resolution of the neurological symptoms, were all in favor of PRES. PRES can occur after the administration of chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy. Prompt diagnosis is crucial through a spectrum of suspicious clinical and radiological characteristics that must be rapidly recognized to quickly anticipate the optimal therapeutic strategy and avoid unnecessary complications.

Keywords

• PRES
• chemotherapy
• immunotherapy
• status epilepticus
• diaschisis