Permanent cerebellar toxicity of cytosine arabinoside (Ara C) in a young woman

Abstract

This report provides the first videotape example of a patient with permanent cerebellar ataxia from high dose cytosine arabinoside. This case was unusual in that the patient was young, the effects are seemingly permanent and severe, and corticospinal tract damage also occurred. Early recognition to stop drug administration remains the only method to reduce risk.