Abstract
We describe a case of accidental intrathecal administration of vincristine in a 33-year-old man with clinical diagnosis of acute lymphocytic leukemia. The patient died 20 days after receiving the drug. Clinically, the patient developed acute ascending paralysis with motor and sensory dysfunctions, and respiratory failure. Neuropathological investigation revealed lesions in spinal cord, roots, and cerebellum characterized by rarefaction of the neuropil, axonal, and myelin degeneration, accompanied by macrophagic infiltration.
MeSH terms
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Accidents*
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Adult
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Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / administration & dosage
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Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / adverse effects*
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Axons / pathology
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Cerebellum / pathology
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Forensic Pathology
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Humans
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Injections, Spinal / adverse effects*
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Macrophages / pathology
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Male
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Malpractice
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Necrosis
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Paralysis / chemically induced
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Respiratory Insufficiency / chemically induced
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Spinal Cord / pathology
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Spinal Nerve Roots / pathology
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Vacuoles / pathology
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Vincristine / administration & dosage
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Vincristine / adverse effects*
Substances
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Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
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Vincristine