Neurological improvement and rehabilitation potential following toxic myelopathy due to intrathecal injection of doxorubicin

Abstract

Study design: Case report of a 31-year-old woman who presented with toxic myelopathy due to intrathecal administration of doxorubicin. Objective: To describe the pathology and the rehabilitation of an uncommon complication of intrathecal drug administration during the oncologic treatment of acute lymphoma. Setting: Spinal cord rehabilitation center, University Hospital. Method: Clinical and radiological observations during a rehabilitation program. Results: Evidence of neurological improvement and rehabilitation potential after severe myelopathy due to intrathecal injection of doxorubicin. Conclusion: This is, to our knowledge, the first report of severe myelopathy following accidental intrathecal administration of doxorubicin. Despite early complete paraplegia, some neurological and functional recovery was observed.