Diffusion-weighted MRI in cyclosporin A neurotoxicity for the classification of cerebral edema

Cyclosporin A, an immunosuppressive agent, is known to have neurotoxic effects, but until now, there has not been agreement on the underlying mechanism. Our report suggests, by using diffusion-weighted MRI, that the brain lesions caused by cyclosporin A, are probably related to vasogenic edema. This may explain the complete recovery of the lesions on imaging when cyclosporine therapy is stopped. Received: 22 December 1998; Revised: 8 March 1999; Accepted: 2 April 1999