title: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis after liver transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During the past 10 years, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis has been reported a few times after organ transplantation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report a case of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis as a complication of liver transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  The University of North Carolina Hospital and Medical Center, Chapel Hill. Patient A 49-year-old woman admitted because of acute onset of paresthesias, sensory loss, and weakness after liver transplantation. Acute clinical presentation, results of imaging studies, and comprehensive laboratory evaluation were consistent with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  High-dose intravenous corticosteroid therapy followed by maintenance oral dosing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging improvement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Corticosteroid therapy halted clinical progression, with partial resolution of lesions on magnetic resonance images of the brain and spinal cord.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is, to our knowledge, the first report of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis after liver transplantation. Possible pathogenic mechanisms include a cross-reactive immune response to foreign antigens present within the transplanted organ, or an inflammatory response triggered by viral infection in an immunocompromised host.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lindzen
authors.forename: Ajmal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gilani
authors.forename: Silva
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Markovic-Plese
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mann
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004673:Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012074:Remission Induction; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D011239:Prednisolone