Neurological deficit after carotid infusion of cisplatin and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) for malignant glioma: an analysis of risk factors.

The records of 24 patients with malignant gliomas treated with carotid infusion of cisplatin and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) are reviewed for risk factors that might suggest the development of a permanent neurological deficit after infusion. Permanent neurological deficits were seen with doses of cisplatin as low as 69 mg/m2, although doses as high as 100 mg/m2 were tolerated by other patients. All 3 patients who developed permanent neurological deficits received fixed doses of cisplatin of 150 mg and supplied only 2 major intracranial branches from the infused carotid artery. In none of these patients was a filter used in the infusion line. Other risk factors identified in 2 of the 3 patients were diffuse neoplasm involving the region of the internal capsule and the use of an infusion pump rather than a pulsatile bolus infusion technique. The development of a permanent neurological deficit appeared unrelated to the dose of BCNU within the range utilized, and preinfusion administration of corticosteroids did not prevent neurological deficit. These possible risk factors should be considered in the future development of protocols for arterial infusion therapy of malignant gliomas.