Fatal toxic effect of bleomycin on brain tissue after intracystic chemotherapy for a craniopharyngioma: case report.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Craniopharyngiomas are benign neoplasms of epithelial origin that arise from the remnants of Rathke's pouch and are located in the sellar, parasellar, and third ventricular regions. Despite major advances in microsurgical techniques, total removal of these tumors is associated with a high risk of death, long-term endocrinological dependence, cognitive dysfunction, and behavioral disorders. For patients with monocystic craniopharyngiomas, encouraging postoperative survival rates and high rates of cyst regression after intracavitary administration of bleomycin have been reported. Moreover, only a few side effects have been reported for this treatment method. We report a patient with a cystic craniopharyngioma who was treated using intracavitary bleomycin administration and died as a result of the direct toxic effects of bleomycin on deep brain structures and the brainstem.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 47-year-old woman with a cystic craniopharyngioma underwent stereotactic insertion of a catheter attached to a subcutaneous reservoir. Five months after the procedure, positive-contrast computed tomographic cystography was performed to confirm the absence of fluid leakage. Daily intracavitary injections of bleomycin were administered through the reservoir into the cyst, until a total dose of 56 mg had been administered in 8 days. After the treatment, the cystic cavity regressed but the patient exhibited neurological deterioration; magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed diffuse edema in the diencephalon and brainstem. The patient died 45 days after completion of the treatment.

CONCLUSION: Intracavitary administration of bleomycin is not a treatment protocol without risks or side effects, even if there is no fluid leakage into the cerebrospinal fluid. Although this is known to be an effective treatment for cystic craniopharyngiomas, previous reports cannot be used to establish a standard treatment method, and more research is needed to yield a safer effective protocol.