Prophylactic levetiracetam-induced pancytopenia with traumatic extra-dural hematoma: Case report

Background: Pancytopenia has only rarely been reported with Levetiracetam use. It is a potentially life threatening adverse effect that requires cessation of therapy. Case description: We describe a case of an otherwise well thirty-two-year-old man who underwent an emergent craniotomy for evacuation of a traumatic extra-dural haematoma. Post-operatively, he developed pancytopenia which corrected with cessation of levetiracetam. Conclusion: This report aims to increase awareness of this rare side effect and reiterates the judicious use of prophylactic levetiracetam in brain trauma. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.