Neurological complications after electrochemotherapy treatment in the head and neck area

Abstract

Background/Aim: Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a predominately palliative treatment for cutaneous metastases where an electric field is used to increase the intracellular accumulation of a chemotherapeutic drug (bleomycin or cisplatin). ECT induces a strong anti-vascular effect and endothelial cells seem especially vulnerable. To date, almost no neurological and/or cerebrovascular complications after ECT treatment have been published. In this paper two such cases are reported. Case report: A seizure in a man treated with ECT for a basal cell carcinoma in the temporal region and a fatal ischemic stroke in a woman treated for cutaneous metastases in the neck are reported. In both cases a causal relationship to ECT treatment was strongly suspected. Conclusion: ECT in the head and neck can potentially cause severe neurological complications. Ultrasound is recommended for ECT treatment in the neck.