Demyelination during anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha therapy with infliximab for Crohn's disease.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system may be linked to anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha therapy.

CASE HISTORY:

A 19-year-old female with Crohn's ileocolitis developed right arm and leg numbness and right hand weakness 4 weeks after the initiation of infliximab. Neurologic examination confirmed upper and lower right extremity sensory and motor deficits. MRI examination of the head and thoracic cord showed multiple gadolinium-enhancing lesions with distribution and configuration most suggestive of multiple sclerosis or other demyelinating process. The infliximab therapy was immediately stopped and follow-up at 8 weeks revealed symptomatic improvement.

CONCLUSION:

This case report describes the onset of a demyelinating process after the institution of infliximab therapy in a patient with Crohn's disease.

• Authors: Carlton W Thomas Jr, Brian G Weinshenker, William J Sandborn
• Journal: Inflammatory bowel diseases (Inflamm Bowel Dis) Vol. 10 Issue 1 Pg. 28-31 (Jan 2004) ISSN: 1078-0998 [Print] England
• PMID: 15058523 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Gastrointestinal Agents
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Infliximab

Topics

• Adult
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Crohn Disease (drug therapy)
• Demyelinating Diseases (chemically induced, diagnosis, pathology)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Gastrointestinal Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Humans
• Hypesthesia (chemically induced, diagnosis, pathology)
• Infliximab
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Medulla Oblongata (pathology)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (immunology)