Neurological complications after liver retransplantation.

Postoperative neurological complications in 185 patients who underwent two or more orthotopic liver transplantations were reviewed. The most common neurological complications were alteration of mental status (84%), seizures (33%) and focal motor deficits (15%). The frequency of neurological complications after a second orthotopic liver transplantation was significantly greater than that after a single orthotopic liver transplantation. However, neurological complications were more frequent after a second orthotopic liver transplantation than after a third transplant. Significantly more neurological complications occurred in patients who did not survive a year than in those who did, regardless of the number of transplants they underwent. These findings indicate that the risk of neurological complications among patients with multiple orthotopic liver transplantations is greater in those who require a second transplant; this risk appears to diminish after a third transplant. Importantly, the presence of neurological complications is associated with increased post-orthotopic liver transplantation mortality rate.     

Neurological complications of infliximab

The use of anti-tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) therapies has led to improved outcomes in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the use of these new therapeutic agents requires careful monitoring for adverse effects. We describe 3 patients who developed neurological disease closely associated with the use of infliximab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to and inactivates TNF-a. All had evidence of polyneuropathy, demyelinating in one and axonal in 2. One patient had a central nervous system syndrome. Physicians should be aware of these potential adverse effects when treating patients with infliximab.     

Neurological complications of Paget's disease

Conclusions The neurologic complications of Paget's disease are infrequent but can be severe and are often treatable. Paget's disease should be considered as a posible cause of neurologic symptoms, including those with previously undiagnosed disease. Routine neurological assessments should be performed at regular intervals in patients with known Paget's disease of the spine or cranium. The outcome of treatment, particularly in cases of spinal cord compression or hydrocephalus, are particularly rewarding. Treatment should be based on each individual patient's presentation and consists of symptomatic treatment, antiresorptive therapy, or surgery. The latter can frequently be avoided in patients with slow onset spinal cord compression in whom the acute and long-term response to bisphosphonates is impressive.     

血液透析患者神经系统的并发症

慢性肾脏病患者尤其是维持性血液透析患者,常合并非透析相关的和透析相关的神经系统并发症,可累及中枢神经系统、周围神经系统、自主神经及肌肉,发病率及死亡率较高。既往对血液透析患者神经系统并发症认识有限,导致无法及时诊治。本文就有关此类疾病的临床表现、发病机制、诊断及治疗的最新认识作一简述。     

Neurological complications after stem cell transplantation in childhood.

We analyzed the incidence of neurological complications in 77 patients receiving stem cell transplantation (SCT), and 12 patients (15.8%) had the following symptoms: convulsions, intracranial hemorrhage, and leukoencephalopathy. Although statistically not significant, neurological complications were seen more frequently in patients after allogeneic transplantation, and in those with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) exceeding grade II. The most significant risk factor for neurological complications was identified as unrelated donor allogenic transplantation (P = 0.016). Complications were categorized into three groups, based on time of onset and symptoms: (1) convulsions during the conditioning period, (2) intracranial hemorrhage during the period of granulocyte recovery, and (3) leukoencephalopathy at around 2 months after SCT. We propose awareness of the risks of neurological complications in each period after SCT so that immediate and effective treatment of patients can be instigated.     

Neurological complications in Fabry disease

In Fabry disease, deficiency of α-galactosidase A results in the accumulation of glycosphingolipids in body fluids and tissues including corneas, blood vessels, kidneys and also structures of the central and peripheral nervous system. Many patients show cardiovascular and cerebrovascular dysfunction. Cerebrovascular dysfunction is particularly associated with a high risk of strokes and of mortality even at a young age. The prevalence and severity of cerebrovascular complications increase with patients'age. Clinical data as well as histologic and neurophysiologic studies showed predominantly small fiber dysfunction in patients with Fabry disease. We recently performed quantitative sensory testing in patients with Fabry disease and found reduced cold and heat-pain detection thresholds, while nerve conduction velocities were only mildly reduced. From our findings, we concluded that small fiber dysfunction is more prominent than large fiber dysfunction in Fabry patients. Clinically, small fiber dysfunction contributes to recurrent episodes of burning and lancinating pain and paresthesias in the distal extremities. Such episodes can be typically triggered by changes of the environmental temperature, particularly by warming. Moreover, dysfunction of small thinly-myelinated and unmyelianated nerve fibers accounts for altered sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation. Sympathetic dysfunction explains the hypohidrosis and a subsequent poor exercise and heat tolerance. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with recombinant human α-galactosidase A is available. We could demonstrate improvement of small fiber neuropathy and neuropathic pain after 18-23 months of ERT, which probably resulted from glycosphingolipid clearing from perineurial cells, axons and Schwann cells or from blood vessels supplying the nerves.     

Neurological complications of anticoagulation therapy: a neurologist's review.

Anticoagulant-induced bleeding may involve the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves. It may occur with either coumarin or heparin anticoagulants, in the absence of trauma, and while prothrombin times, clotting times, or partial thromboplastin times are in accepted therapeutic ranges. Bleeding involving the brain occurs usually as a subdural hematoma, with intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhages occurring less frequently. There may be diagnostic problems in the recognition of these anticoagulant-related subdural hematomas. The spinal cord involvement usually appears in the form of an extradural hematoma. This condition can progress rapidly, and prompt recognition of its presence, localization with myelography, and laminectomy for surgical evacuation are necessary. The peripheral nerve most frequently compressed is the femoral nerve, due to bleeding into the iliacus muscle. Other nerves can be involved, and surgical evacuation may be necessary at times.