Encephalopathy following bone marrow transplantation

Delayed, transient encephalopathy after marrow transplantation: case reports and MRI findings in four patients

Subacute encephalopathy developed in four patients within one to two months after undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation or peripheral blood progenitor (stem) cell transplantation for breast cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. None of the patients had previously known neurologic disorders, central nervous tumor or infection. Two patients presented with generalized tonic, clonic seizures, and two with confusion and lethargy. In all patients lumbar puncture and CT scans of the brain were normal, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated multifocal predominantly white matter lesions. Phenytoin therapy was given to the two patients with seizures and all four patients improved without specific therapeutic intervention. Repeat MRIs became normal within three months. We report a delayed and transient encephalopathy which appears to be a unique complication of high-dose cytotoxic chemotherapy. The corresponding brain lesions may not be appreciated on CT scans, suggesting an expanded role for MRI studies in patients who develop neurologic findings while undergoing high-dose cytotoxic therapy.

Acute parkinsonian syndrome with demyelinating leukoencephalopathy in bone marrow transplant recipients

A syndrome of rigidity, bradykinesia, spasticity, and often myoclonus and dementia developed acutely in 5 patients who had undergone successful engraftment of bone marrow transplants for the treatment of various hematologic diseases. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated widespread changes in white matter; brain biopsy disclosed mild demyelination associated with active phagocytosis of myelin. One patient, who was not treated, remains severely demented. Patients treated with very high-dose methylprednisolone had complete clinical recovery.

Neuropathologic findings after bone marrow transplantation: an autopsy study

Clinicopathologic records and neuropathologic tissues of 109 patients who underwent necropsy after treatment with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were examined. Underlying disorders included leukemia (70), aplastic anemia (25), solid tumors (7), lymphoma (5), Hodgkin's disease (1) and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (1). There were 34 females and 75 males, ranging in age from 2 to 56 years. Survival after transplantation averaged 3.6 months. The most common findings were cerebrovascular lesions (29), including hematomas, hemorrhagic necrosis, and infarcts. Central nervous system infections comprised the next most common finding, including 10 fungal and four bacterial infections. A recurrence of underlying malignancy for which transplant had been performed occurred in five patients. Leukoencephalopathy of varying severity was found in eight patients, half of whom had received intrathecal chemotherapy and/or cranial radiation. Patients with systemic graft-versus-host disease had a variety of nonspecific neuropathologic findings in the nervous system; however, nearly half (44%) showed no detectable changes. Other nonspecific alterations included hypoxic/ischemic changes, vascular siderocalcinosis, and neuroaxonal spheroids (associated with hemorrhage or necrosis). These findings provide a guide as to likely causes of a neurologic syndrome in a patient who has undergone BMT, and can be compared with neuropathologic findings in other forms of immunosuppression.

Neurological complications of bone marrow transplantation in childhood

Bone marrow transplantation, used in the treatment of cancer, aplastic anemia, and metabolic diseases, involves the use of potentially neurotoxic agents to suppress immunity and eradicate malignancy. Fifty-seven patients with a median age of 11 years (age range, 6 months to 24 years) underwent bone marrow transplantation at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Fifty-nine percent developed neurological abnormalities. Twenty-six patients (46%) had central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, including infection (8), cerebrovascular accident (5), CNS leukemia (7), metabolic encephalopathy (5), and paraparesis with CNS toxoplasmosis (1). Neuropsychological dysfunction was present in 4 of 5 long-term survivors who were tested. Fourteen of 19 patients (74%) on whom postmortem examination was performed were found to have CNS abnormalities, including cerebral atrophy (10), focal cerebral injury (6), leukemia (5), and infection (3). Fourteen patients (24%) had peripheral nervous system dysfunction. CNS dysfunction was more common in patients with lymphoreticular malignancies. Cerebrovascular accidents (in patients with lymphoreticular malignancies) and infections (in our general population and in patients with lymphoreticular malignancies) occurred more often in our patients than in patients with similar illnesses who did not undergo bone marrow transplantation. The combination of prior treatment and preparative therapy for bone marrow transplantation predisposes patients to neurological and neuropsychological sequelae.

Bone marrow transplantation. Problems and prospects

Over the last 15 years, human bone marrow transplantation has evolved from experimental therapy of last resort for patients with end-stage leukemia and marrow aplasia. The increasing success and use of marrow transplants has stemmed from important advances made in (1) the understanding and definition of the major histocompatibility complex in man, (2) the development of safe yet efficacious immunosuppressive and myeloablative preconditioning regimens, and (3) the development of techniques of intensive supportive care for these patients during their intra- and post-transplant course.