Subclinical central pontine myelinolysis following liver transplantation

Brain Dev. 2002 Apr;24(3):179-82. doi: 10.1016/s0387-7604(02)00013-x.

Abstract

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is a demyelinating disorder of unknown origin that almost exclusively affects the central portion of the basis pontis, and is one of the fatal neurological complications after liver transplantation. We describe two children with CPM detected incidentally after liver transplantation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CPM diagnosed antemortem in children who had undergone liver transplantation. In our patients, there were no clinical manifestations associated with CPM. We conclude that, including silent cases such as our patients, CPM may be more prevalent than previously appreciated following liver transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Female
  • Graft Rejection
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Myelinolysis, Central Pontine / diagnosis
  • Myelinolysis, Central Pontine / etiology*
  • Myelinolysis, Central Pontine / physiopathology
  • Myelinolysis, Central Pontine / psychology
  • Pons / pathology
  • Reoperation