Central pontine myelinolysis: a case report and clinical-pathological review

Pediatr Transplant. 2012 Sep;16(6):E251-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3046.2011.01591.x. Epub 2011 Oct 24.

Abstract

An 11-yr-old child presented with acute mental status changes and spastic quadriplegia after orthotopic liver transplantation. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings were consistent with central pontine and EPM. Initial immunosuppression included tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and corticosteroids. Given that neurotoxicity is a well-established side effect of CNI, the patient was converted to rapamycin and subsequently experienced significant neurologic recovery. The temporal resolution of the patient's symptoms suggests that prompt recognition of central pontine and EPM and conversion from tacrolimus to rapamycin during the early post-operative course may have therapeutic benefits for patients undergoing pediatric transplant with CNI-related neurotoxicity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / adverse effects
  • Brain / pathology
  • Calcineurin Inhibitors*
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Liver Failure / complications
  • Liver Failure / therapy
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Liver Transplantation / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Mycophenolic Acid / adverse effects
  • Mycophenolic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Myelinolysis, Central Pontine / diagnosis*
  • Myelinolysis, Central Pontine / etiology*
  • Sirolimus / therapeutic use*
  • Tacrolimus / adverse effects
  • Tacrolimus / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Calcineurin Inhibitors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Mycophenolic Acid
  • Sirolimus
  • Tacrolimus