Posterior reversible encephalopathy related to tacrolimus in a liver transplanted HIV patient

Tacrolimus-related posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy (PRLE) is a rare complication which should be recognized by clinicians who regularly use immunosuppressive therapy. We report the case of an HIV-positive, hepatitis C-positive liver transplant patient who presented with this complication. Immunosuppression with tacrolimus was started after postsurgery. On the 20th day, the patient suffered two tonic-clonic convulsive attacks against a background of hypertension. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging and lumbar puncture led to diagnosis of tacrolimus-related PRLE after eliminating other possible diagnoses. Therapeutic management consisted of withdrawing tacrolimus and initiating treatment with antiepileptogenic and anti hypertensive drugs, supplemented with magnesium sulphate. The symptoms regressed in the days following withdrawal of tacrolimus and the majority of lesions on magnetic resonance imaging disappeared within two weeks. The aim of which should be to identify patients at risk of developing this complication. This would enable targeted prevention involving magnesium supplementation, strict control of blood pressure and serial monitoring of tacrolimus blood concentrations. (C) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.