A 63-year-old female patient with multiple myeloma and plasma cell leukemia achieved complete remission with second-line carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone treatment, which was consolidated by autologous stem cell transplantation. Following transplantation, rapid relapse developed resulting in initiation of third-line daratumumab-lenalidomide-dexamethasone therapy.
As a complication, Clostridioides difficile associated pseudomembranous colitis occurred, during which she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, and her anti-myeloma treatment was suspended. Upon reamittance to our department, difficulty in word finding, upper right limb hemiparesis and a clouding of consciousness was documented. Cranial MRI confirmed an aberrant volume of 28 × 25 mm at the border of the interna-thalamus capsule, with perifocal edema, left ventricular compression and midline shift. The image raised strong suspicion of cerebral relapse of multiple myeloma. After consultation with neurosurgeons, stereotaxic biopsy was performed and cerebral toxoplasmosis was confirmed by histopathology. After consultation with infectious disease specialists, a combination of pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine and folinic acid was initiated, to which the patient responded remarkably well, got out of bed, walked, and spoke with proper articulation. Clinical improvement was also confirmed by imaging examination. Meanwhile, a progression of multiple myeloma was documented, so daratumumab was restarted. Unfortunately, the patient’s clinical condition declined and she became bedridden again. During this period, Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream-infection was documented and she repeatedly required intensive care. Repeated cranial MRI confirmed the appearance of new brain foci.
The patient was lost due to the coexistence of progressive multiple myeloma and cerebral toxoplasmosis. The conclusion of our case report is that the possibility of cerebral toxoplasmosis should be considered in the case of suspected cerebral plasmocytoma among immunocompromised myeloma patients.
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