Impairment of vertebral canal nervous structures after intrathecal prophylaxis in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Abstract

Neuropathological analysis of spinal cord and spinal roots as well as spinal leptomeninges after intrathecal methotrexate (MTX) therapy was performed in 44 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of high malignancy. It was showed that MTX applied according to the program applied as a prophylaxis against lymphomatous infiltrations in the central nervous system, caused demyelination of spinal roots and fibrosis of leptomeninges and their blood vessels. However, it does not affect spinal cord structures. Described morphological changes remained clinically mute, therefore they do not seem counterindicate prophylactic intrathecal MTX application.