Acute encephalopathy associated with the use of intravenous immunoglobulin. Report of one case
Soto V, A.; Cartier R, L.
Revista Medica de Chile 139(10): 1340-1343
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-9887 PMID: 22286735 Document Number: 648018
Adverse reactions to intravenous immunoglobulin (ivIg) therapy, such as anaphylaxis, acute encephalopathy, aseptic meningitis, or thrombotic phenomena are uncommon. We report a 58-year-old man with hypertension presenting with muscle weakness which led to paraparesia and respiratory failure. With the diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), he was treated with ivIg. He developed an acute encephalopathy few hours after the administration of ivIg, with a decreased level of consciousness and agitation. A CT scan revealed moderate and diffuse brain edema. Encephalopathy resolved 96 hours after ivIg withdrawal and use of plasma exchange. A CT scan performed seven days after showed the resolution of brain edema.