Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Original Article
  • Published:

Case Reports

Reversible leukoencephalopathy associated with re-infusion of DMSO preserved stem cells

Abstract

We report a case of posterior reversible leuko- encephalopathy (PRL) following the infusion of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) cryopreserved autologous stem cells in the setting of myeloablative chemotherapy in a patient with recurrent Ewing’s sarcoma. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed white matter changes which resolved over the next 2 months. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 26, 797–800.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hinchey J, Chaves C, Appignani B et al. A reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome New Engl J Med 1996 334: 494–500

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Schwartz RB, Jones KM, Kalina P et al. Hypertensive encephalopathy: findings on CT, MR imaging, and SPECT imaging in 14 cases AJR 1992 159: 379–383

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Digre KB, Varner MW, Osborn AG, Crawford S . Cranial magnetic imaging in severe pre-eclampsia vs eclampsia Arch Neurol 1993 50: 399–406

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Reece DE, Frei-Lahr DA, Shephard JD et al. Neurologiccomplications in allogenic bone marrow transplant patients receiving cyclosporine Bone Marrow Transplant 1991 8: 393–401

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Small SL, Fukui MB, Bramblett GT, Eidelman BH . Immunosuppression-induced leukoencephalopathy from tacrolimus Ann Neurol 1996 40: 575–580

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Dhodapkar M, Goldberg SL, Tefferi A, Gertz MA . Reversible encephalopathy after cryopreserved peripheral stem cell infusion Am J Hematol 1994 45: 187–188

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Gerhards E, Gibian H . The metabolism of dimethyl sulfoxide and its metabolic effects in man and animals Ann NY Acad Sci 1967 141: 65–76

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Yellowlees P, Greenfield C, McIntyre N . Dimethylsulphoxide-induced toxicity Lancet 1980 ii: 1004–1006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Egorin MJ, Rosen DM, Sridhara R et al. Plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetics of dimethylsulfoxide and its metabolites in patients undergoing peripheral-blood stem-cell transplants J Clin Oncol 1998 16: 610–615

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Shirley SW, Stewart BH, Mirelman S . Dimethyl sulfoxide in treatment of inflammatory genitourinary disorders Urology 1978 11: 215–220

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Engel MF . Indications and contraindications for the use of DMSO in clinical dermatology Ann NY Acad Sci 1967 141: 638–645

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Smith ER, Hadidian Z, Mason MM . The single and repeated dose toxicity of dimethyl sulfoxide Ann NY Acad Sci 1967 141: 96–109

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Alessandrino EP, Bernasconi P, Caldera D et al. Adverse events occurring during bone marrow or peripheral blood progenitor cell infusion: analysis of 126 cases Bone Marrow Transplant 1999 23: 533–537

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Zambelli A, Poggi G, Da Pradda GA et al. Clinical toxicity of cryopreserved circulating progentitor cells infusion Anticancer Res 1998 18: 4705–4708

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Port JD, Beauchamp NJ . Reversible intracerebral pathological entities mediated by vascular autoregulatory dysfunction Radiographics 1998 18: 353–367

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Antunes NL, Small TN, George D et al. Posterior leukoencephalopathy may not be reversible Pediatr Neurol 1999 20: 241–243

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Cain MS, Burton GV, Holcombe RF . Fatal leukoencephalopathy in a patient with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treated with CHOP chemotherapy and high-dose steroids Am J Med Sci 1998 315: 202–207

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Dr Georgia Vogelsang for her comments on the paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Higman, M., Port, J., Beauchamp, N. et al. Reversible leukoencephalopathy associated with re-infusion of DMSO preserved stem cells. Bone Marrow Transplant 26, 797–800 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1702589

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1702589

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links