Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease after autologous bone marrow transplant in a child with stage IV neuroblastoma: case report and literature review

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2003 May;25(5):405-9. doi: 10.1097/00043426-200305000-00011.

Abstract

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a rare, almost universally fatal complication of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation with few treatment options. A 19-month-old boy with stage 4 neuroblastoma with fatal PVOD following high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell rescue is described here. A comprehensive literature review revealed 40 case reports of PVOD in oncology patients. Various therapeutic modalities were attempted, with four survivors. PVOD should be considered in patients with dyspnea and cardiomegaly. Less invasive diagnostic methods and more effective therapies are needed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neuroblastoma / complications*
  • Neuroblastoma / etiology*
  • Neuroblastoma / pathology
  • Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease / complications*
  • Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease / etiology*
  • Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease / pathology
  • Transplantation, Autologous / adverse effects