title: The neurology of solid organ transplantation.
abstract: Transplantation is the rescue treatment for end-stage organ failure with more than 110,000 solid organs transplantations performed worldwide annually. Recent advances in transplantation procedures and posttransplantation management have improved long-term survival and quality of life of transplant recipients, shifting the focus from acute perioperative critical care needs toward long-term chronic medical problems. Neurologic complications affect up to 30-60 % of solid organ transplant recipients. Common etiologies include opportunistic infections and toxicities of antirejection medications, and wide spectrum of toxic and metabolic disturbances. Most complications are common to all allograft types, but some are relatively specific for individual allograft types (e.g., central pontine myelinolysis in liver transplant recipients). Close collaboration between neurologists and other transplant team members is essential for effective management. Early recognition of complications and accurate diagnosis leading to timely treatment is essential to reduce the morbidity and improve the overall transplant outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3471 Fifth Ave #810, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA, josedabid@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: J David
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Avila
authors.forename: Saša
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Živković
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000209:etiology; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents