CEREBRAL COMPLICATIONS OF MURINE MONOCLONAL CD3 ANTIBODY (OKT3) - CT AND MR FINDINGS

Treatment of acute renal allograft rejection with mouse monoclonal ant ibody (OKT3) is associated with systemic and neurologic side effects. We describe cerebral abnormalities in a 13-year-old boy with steroid-r esistant renal allograft rejection. After treatment with OKT3, an acut e neurologic syndrome developed, including seizures, lethargy, and dec reased mental function. CT and MR imaging revealed confluent cerebral lesions at the corticomedullary junction. Contrast-enhanced MR images showed patchy enhancement, indicating blood-brain barrier dysfunction. The diagnosis of OKT3-induced encephalopathy with cerebral edema and capillary leak syndrome was made. Although CT and MR findings are nons pecific, neuroradiologists should be aware of this condition in transp lant patients treated with OKT3.