A Novel Case of Prolonged Ifosfamide Encephalopathy and Long-term
Treatment with Methylene Blue: A Case Report & Review of Literature
Abstract
Encephalopathy following Ifosfamide treatment is a well-described
phenomenon that is commonly treated with Methylene Blue (MB). The course
of encephalopathy and MB therapy has not been described in the
literature as lasting longer than 30 days following treatment cessation.
We present the case of an 11-year-old female with recurrent episodes of
severe somnolence for five months following Ifosfamide-containing
chemotherapy for her germ cell tumor. Administration of MB gave
immediate but limited response. Our novel case continued to require
treatment for 5 months following cessation of therapy. We hypothesize
that a genetic component confers increased susceptibility to
Ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy.