Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome secondary to oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy and regorafenib in metastastic colorectal cancer : case reports and literature review

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare disorder with multiple causes but potentially caused by chemotherapy. We present 3 cases of PRES of whom 2 are presumably caused by oxaliplatin and one by regorafenib. We discuss in this article the 3 cases individually and we summarize in the discussion the proposed theories in the literature of possible pathophysiological mechanisms. Our main goal of this article is to increase awareness among physicians when they are confronted with patients on chemotherapy who present with (sub)acute encephalopathy. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2020, 83, 47-50).

Keywords: colorectal cancer, encephalopathy, regorafenib, oxaliplatin.