Central nervous system disorders are an important complication of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). We have recently performed cerebral angiography to examine central nervous system dysfunction in a 22-year-old woman with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia who had undergone BMT. Angiography demonstrated multiple stenoses and occlusions in the peripheral branches of the anterior and middle cerebral arteries, a pattern similar to that seen in vasculitis. She was thought to most likely have cytomegalovirus (CMV) vasculitis, but other forms of vasculitis, such as angiitis-like-syndrome-associated graft-versus-host disease could not be excluded. This case suggests that CMV vasculitis may cause central nervous system dysfunction after BMT and that imaging studies may provide useful information about central nervous system disorders in these patients.

Keywords:
Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, Central nervous system dysfunction, Imaging study
1.
Takatsuka H, Takemoto Y, Okamoto T, Fujimori Y, Suehiro A, Kakishita E, Kanamaru A: The levels of soluble P-selectin, von Willebrand factor and thrombomodulin in patients with neurological complications after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant 1998;21:809–813.
2.
Okamoto T, Okada M, Mori A, Saheki K, Takatsuka H, Wada H, Tamura A, Fujimori Y, Takemoto Y, Kanamaru A, Kakishita E: Successful treatment of severe cytomegalovirus retinitis with foscarnet and intraocular injection of ganciclovir in a myelosuppressed unrelated bone marrow transplant patient. Bone Marrow Transplant 1997;20:801–803.
3.
Padovan CS, Bise K, Hahn J, Sostak P, Holler E, Kolb HJ, Straube A: Angitis of the central nervous system after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation? Stroke 1999;30:1651–1656.
4.
Yonemitsu Y, Nakagawa K, Tanaka S, Mori R, Sugimachi K, Sueishi K: In situ detection of frequent and active infection of human cytomegalovirus in inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms: Possible pathogenic role in sustained chronic inflammatory reaction. Lab Invest 1996;74:723–736.
5.
Bitzer M, Topka H: Progressive cerebral occlusive disease after radiation therapy. Stroke 1995;26:131–136.
6.
Hirata Y, Matsukado Y, Mihara Y, Kochi M, Sonoda H, Fukumura A: Occlusion of the internal carotid artery after radiation therapy for the chiasmal lesion. Acta Neurochir 1985;74:141–147.
© 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel
2000
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.