Severe cerebral toxicity after intravenous nitrogen mustard therapy

Abstract

On 2 separate occasions intravenous nitrogen mustard administration to a patient with Hodgkin's disease resulted in cerebral toxicity characterized by hyperpyrexia and coma 7 days after initiation of therapy. In the first instance, operative findings and clinical response to ventricular decompression indicated an acute internal hydrocephalus. During the second episode, treatment with osmotic diuresis, hypothermia, and corticosteroids resulted i n complete resolution of all neurologic signs and symptoms. These findings suggest that acute cerebral toxicity following conventional doses of nitrogen mustard, although rare, may occur.