Reversible posterior leucoencephalopathy syndrome in an elderly male on sunitinib therapy

center dot Agents inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor can lead to development of reversible posterior leucoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS). center dot Few cases of sunitinib-induced RPLS have been reported previously. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS center dot A case of sunitinib-induced RPLS in an elderly man is described in this study. center dot Elevated blood pressure at presentation occurs in most cases of sunitinib-induced RPLS. AIMS Reversible posterior leucoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) has been reported following the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents such as bevacizumab, sorafinib and sunitinib. In this report we present a case of RPLS that occurred in an elderly male on sunitinib therapy. METHODS Other case reports of sunitinib-induced RPLS were reviewed and causality assessment was carried out using the World Health Organization-Uppsala Monitoring Centre criteria and the Naranjo algorithm. RESULTS Only a few cases of sunitinib-induced RPLS had been reported previously and elevated blood pressure at presentation was common in most of the patients. Our case was clinically similar to the earlier reports and the adverse reaction had a 'probable' relationship with sunitinib intake. CONCLUSIONS Physicians should monitor and manage elevated blood pressure in patients with sunitinib-induced RPLS.