Cerebral complications of murine monoclonal CD3 antibody (OKT3): CT and MR findings

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 1997 Nov-Dec;18(10):1935-8.

Abstract

Treatment of acute renal allograft rejection with mouse monoclonal antibody (OKT3) is associated with systemic and neurologic side effects. We describe cerebral abnormalities in a 13-year-old boy with steroid-resistant renal allograft rejection. After treatment with OKT3, an acute neurologic syndrome developed, including seizures, lethargy, and decreased mental function. CT and MR imaging revealed confluent cerebral lesions at the corticomedullary junction. Contrast-enhanced MR images showed patchy enhancement, indicating blood-brain barrier dysfunction. The diagnosis of OKT3-induced encephalopathy with cerebral edema and capillary leak syndrome was made. Although CT and MR findings are nonspecific, neuroradiologists should be aware of this condition in transplant patients treated with OKT3.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / drug effects
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain Damage, Chronic / chemically induced*
  • Brain Damage, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Brain Edema / chemically induced
  • Brain Edema / diagnosis
  • Capillary Leak Syndrome / chemically induced
  • Capillary Leak Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Graft Rejection / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Iatrogenic Disease
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Muromonab-CD3 / administration & dosage
  • Muromonab-CD3 / adverse effects*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Substances

  • Muromonab-CD3