EYE-MOVEMENT DISORDERS IN BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANT PATIENTS ON CYCLOSPORINE AND GANCICLOVIR

After 582 allogeneic bone marrow transplants, we have encountered four patients (0.7%) who developed transient unilateral or bilateral sixth nerve palsies, Three of the four patients also had bilateral ptosis, These signs resolved 24-48 h after cyclosporin and ganciclovir were di scontinued, One patient had MRI T2 abnormalities compatible with cyclo sporin neurotoxicity, We postulate that cyclosporin, possibly together with ganciclovir, can produce transient brain stem or neuromuscular d ysfunction with eye movement abnormality in occasional patients.