Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder involving the central nervous system in liver transplant recipients

BACKGROUND:Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder(PTLD)involving the central nervous system (CNS)is a rare and serious complication associated with solid organ transplantation.We treated a case of PTLD with CNS involvement in a liver transplant recipient and reviewed the literature. METHOD:The clinicopathological features of a 53-year- old man were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS:Metastasis of the hepatoma was preoperatively considered on the basis of clinical findings.Craniotomy was performed and PTLD was diagnosed pathologically. The patient was treated with antiviral agents,radiation therapy,and chemotherapy;the immunosuppressive medication was reduced.The patient is still alive after follow-up for 14 months. CONCLUSIONS:Definitive diagnosis of PTLD is only established on the basis of histopathologic evaluation of the tissue.Although there are several ways to manage PTLD with CNS involvement,the prognosis is still poor.