Acute Respiratory Failure After Intrathecal Methotrexate Administration

This is a report of a case of acute respiratory failure following the administration of intrathecal methotrexate (MTX) for prophylaxis of central nervous system leukemia (CNS) in a 3-year-old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This could be attributed to acute metabolic or direct toxic effects of methotrexate to the central nervous system tissue. Although the specific agent responsible for this complication following intrathecal injection of MTX is unclear, it is worthwhile to describe this event.