Vacuolar myelopathy and vacuolar cerebellar leukoencephalopathy: A late complication of AIDS after highly active antiretroviral therapy-induced immune reconstitution

Controversy exists as to whether vacuolar myelopathy (VM) responds to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in a salutary fashion similar to other primary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related neurologic complications such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) dementia complex and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Herein, we describe the case of a patient with AIDS, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and cytomegalovirus colitis, who began HAART and cytotoxic chemotherapy. After 6 months of therapy, restaging studies showed no residual lymphoma or active opportunistic infection. For 2 years he was maintained on HAART, during which time his HIV viral load remained nondetectable and his CD4(+) count improved from 20 to 300 cells per microliter. Shortly after developing the acute onset of cerebellar ataxia, he aspirated, developed adult respiratory distress syndrome, and died. At autopsy the spinal cord demonstrated a characteristic vacuolated appearance that extended into the cerebellum. No relation between HIV and the development of VM was discerned by in situ hybridization studies. Experience with this one patient suggests that HAART may not alter the natural history of VM. Whether this case represents yet another variant of the recently described inflammatory immune response syndrome whereby progression of previously quiescent disorders evolve to symptomatic disease after initiation of HAART is uncertain.