Recurrent seizure and sustained encephalopathy associated with dimethylsulfoxide-preserved stem cell infusion.
We report the case of a patient who received two infusions of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) cryopreserved autologous peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) after myeloablative chemotherapy for a relapsing lymphoma. A 49-year-old man presented an episode of tonic-clonic seizure over a few minutes after the start of each infusion and developed a profound and sustained but reversible encephalopathy with coma after the second infusion. The patient's neurological condition correlated well with the electrophysiological findings (electroencephalogram and multimodality evoked potentials) and, to a lesser extent, with the radiological abnormalities (magnetic resonance imaging). Severe but reversible neurological complications may occur with the infusion of PBPCs cryopreserved with DMSO.
Bauwens
Deborah
D
Department of Intensive Care, Cliniques St-Luc, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Hantson
Philippe
P
Laterre
Pierre-François
PF
Michaux
Lucienne
L
Latinne
Dominique
D
De Tourtchaninoff
Marianne
M
Cosnard
Guy
G
Hernalsteen
Danielle
D
D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D036102:Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012008:Recurrence; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods
D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide