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Rapamycin-induced posterior reversible encephalopathy in a kidney transplantation patient

  • Nephrology – Case Report
  • Published:
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Abstract

Background

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is characterized by abnormalities in cerebral white matter and neurologic symptoms. It can be caused by immunosuppressive drugs or autoimmune diseases. We describe a case of PRES in a kidney transplantation patient treated with rapamycin.

Case

A 24-year-old woman, who received kidney transplantation 8 years ago, presented hypertension (220/120 mmHg), blindness, paralysis of left extremities, vomiting, convulsions and unconsciousness after rapamycin treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed brain lesions suggestive of PRES. Rapamycin was withdrawn, and repeated MRI indicated progressive resolution within 2 months.

Conclusion

Although neurotoxicity of rapamycin is relatively low, it can induce PRES in kidney transplantation patients.

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Conflict of interest statement

Institutional Review Board (IRB)/Ethics Committee approval has been obtained. There is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

    Wei Qin, Ye Tao & Ping Fu

  2. Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

    Chun Yu Tan

  3. Division of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

    Xiaoqi Huang & Zixing Huang

Authors
  1. Wei Qin
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  2. Chun Yu Tan
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  3. Xiaoqi Huang
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  4. Zixing Huang
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  5. Ye Tao
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  6. Ping Fu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ping Fu.

Additional information

Wei Qin and Chun Yu Tan contribute equally to this article.

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Qin, W., Tan, C.Y., Huang, X. et al. Rapamycin-induced posterior reversible encephalopathy in a kidney transplantation patient. Int Urol Nephrol 43, 913–916 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-010-9757-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-010-9757-0

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