Vincristine-Induced Unilateral Ptosis in a Child

Gursel, Orhan; Sari, Erkan; Altun, Demet; Atay, A. Avni; Akin, Ridvan

doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2009.07.005

« Previous Next »Pediatric Neurology
Volume 41, Issue 6 , Pages 461-463, December 2009

Vincristine-Induced Unilateral Ptosis in a Child

Orhan Gursel, MD
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy and Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey
- Communications should be addressed to: Dr. Gürsel; Department of Pediatric Hematology; Gulhane Military Medical Academy and Medical Faculty; 06018 Etlik; Ankara, Turkey.
Erkan Sari, MD
- Department of Pediatrics, Gulhane Military Medical Academy and Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey
Demet Altun, MD
- Department of Pediatrics, Gulhane Military Medical Academy and Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey
A. Avni Atay, MD
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy and Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey
Ridvan Akin, MD
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy and Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey

Received 22 April 2009; accepted 6 July 2009.

Vincristine is a vinca alkaloid used in combination with other agents in the treatment of solid tumors, lymphoma, and leukemia, as well as for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. A dose-limiting complication of vinca alkaloids is neurotoxicity. Vincristine is the oldest and also the most neurotoxic agent in this group. Described here is the case of a 4-year-old girl with unilateral palpebral ptosis. She has been diagnosed with precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Ptosis was noted on the 45th day of therapy, and the last vincristine was administered on the 28th day of protocol 1. Vincristine-induced unilateral palpebral ptosis is a novel finding. Experience with this case suggests conservative treatment, with periodic examination, especially if ptosis is mild.