Late onset of tacrolimus-related posterior leukoencephalopathy after living donor liver transplantation

Liver Transpl. 2003 Sep;9(9):983-5. doi: 10.1053/jlts.2003.50181.

Abstract

Neurotoxicity is a well-known side effect of tacrolimus-based immunosuppression after liver transplantation. Until now, only 31 cases of immunosuppression-associated leukoencephalopathy in liver transplant recipients reported in the literature are related to tacrolimus therapy. We report a patient who developed a posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, secondary to tacrolimus-based immunosuppression, after living donor liver transplantation. The special features of this case are the sudden and late onset of neurologic symptoms, a persistent comatose state, and increased signal intensity in follow-up MRI.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Coma / etiology
  • Coma / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / etiology*
  • Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / pathology
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Living Donors
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Tacrolimus / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Tacrolimus