Central nervous system graft-versus-host disease: report of two cases and literature review

Bone Marrow Transplant. 2007 Jan;39(1):49-52. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1705540. Epub 2006 Nov 13.

Abstract

Two patients with a plausible diagnosis of central nervous system graft-versus-host disease (CNS-GVHD) are described. Both presented with neurological manifestations 6 and 18 months following allogeneic transplant with hemiparesis, seizure, encephalopathy and magnetic resonance findings of hyperintense white matter lesions on T-2 weighed images. Brain biopsy in one and autopsy in the other revealed profound perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates composed predominantly of T-lymphocytes that were of donor origin. Although an unequivocal diagnosis of CNS-GVHD is difficult to establish, the transplantation community should be aware of this controversial entity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / complications*
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / therapy
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / diagnosis
  • Graft vs Host Disease / etiology*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / pathology
  • Graft vs Host Disease / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / complications*
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Paresis / diagnosis
  • Paresis / etiology*
  • Paresis / pathology
  • Paresis / prevention & control
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / complications*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / therapy
  • Seizures / diagnosis
  • Seizures / etiology*
  • Seizures / pathology
  • Seizures / prevention & control
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism