Pain Syndrome Induced by Calcineurin Inhibitor and Resolved by Conversion to Sirolimus in a Child After Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report

Neurologic complications of kidney transplantation

Renal transplant is the most common organ transplant in the United States, and the frequency of kidney transplants continues to rise as transplant offers improved survival and quality of life compared to dialysis. However, complications are not uncommon and patients frequently encounter issues requiring hospitalization, especially in the first year postoperatively. Complications that arise are typically related to surgical complications, immunosuppressive medications, or infection due to immunosuppression. Neurological complications are fairly common post-operatively, and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in this population. This review discusses the most common etiologies of neurological complications after kidney transplant, including infection, malignancy, medication related, acute neuropathy, and other neurological pathology.

Tacrolimus-Induced Pain Syndrome After Bone Marrow Transplantation: A Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Calcineurin-inhibitor-induced pain syndrome (CIPS), a rare complication seen in patients with bone marrow transplants, is associated with the use of cyclosporine A (CsA) or tacrolimus (FK506). This case demonstrates the successful pain control of FK506-related CIPS in a 23-year-old male patient with previously reported characteristic clinical features of CIPS in addition to neuropathic symptoms and uncharacteristic imaging findings. On day 15 after the transplantation, the patient complained of severe pain in the lower limbs. Afterwards, the patient started to complain of pain on his hands and back too. During this period, FK506 levels ranged from 9.5 to 16.1 ng/mL. All laboratory exams were normal, except for an increased level of alkaline phosphatase (141 U/L). The pain was not ameliorated by various analgesic drugs. Although MRI done for our patient showed no typical radiological signs such as bone marrow edema, CIPS was suggested based on characteristic clinical features of CIPS. Of note, our patient's pain had neuropathic pain-like characteristics, unlike the pain in previously reported patients with CIPS.

CONCLUSION

The patient was treated successfully by switching FK506 to CsA and administrating gabapentin and nifedipine. Heightened awareness of this complication after bone marrow transplants may be needed for hematologists, otherwise CIPS can result in catastrophic consequences.

An Unusual Manifestation of Calcineurin Inhibitor-Induced Pain Syndrome in Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report and Literature Review

Patient: Female, 23

Final Diagnosis: Calcineurin inhibitor-induced pain syndrome

Symptoms: Back pain

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: Supportive treatment

Specialty: Transplantology

Pain Syndrome and Ventricular Arrhythmia Induced by Sirolimus and Resolved by Dosage Adjustment in a Child After Heart Transplant: A Case Report

For patients with late congenital heart diseases and advanced heart failure, heart transplant is the one of the most effective known treatment methods. With the development of immunosuppressive medicines, it is possible to prevent and treat rejection, and survival after organ transplant has increased rapidly. Calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus and cyclosporine), mycophenolate mofetil, and corticosteroids are used together in many centers as immunosuppressive medications. Although the use of calcineurin inhibitors is essential, therapy is switched to sirolimus in some specific cases and when significant adverse effects occur. The most seen sirolimus-based adverse effects are diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, leg pain, acne, headache, and sleep problems. Here, we present a patient who had abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and ventricular extrasystole attacks due to sirolimus toxicity, which improved with dose adjustment during follow-up after heart transplant. Pain associated with the use of calcineurin inhibitors improving with sirolimus has been previously reported before; however, because we did not encounter pain syndrome associated with use of sirolimus, we chose to report our experience with this patient.