Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome: diagnosis and management in the setting of lung transplantation.

Abstract

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) is a potentially devastating early complication of calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) therapy in solid organ transplantation. Management centres on cessation of CNI therapy; however, this strategy is complicated in lung transplantation because of the threat of allograft rejection, or, if CNI is replaced with mammalian target of rapamycin-based immunosuppression, poor wound healing and bronchial dehiscence. We describe four cases of RPLS after lung transplantation, emphasizing the diagnostic and management approach required to maintain a healthy allograft and ensure that RPLS is, as the name suggests, reversible.

• Authors: B K T Tsang, F D Kermeen, P M A Hopkins, D C Chambers
• Journal: Internal medicine journal (Intern Med J) Vol. 40 Issue 10 Pg. 716-20 (Oct 2010) ISSN: 1445-5994 [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 21038537 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Disease Management
• Female
• Graft Survival (immunology)
• Humans
• Immunosuppression Therapy (adverse effects, methods)
• Lung Transplantation (adverse effects, immunology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (diagnosis, immunology, therapy)
• Retrospective Studies