Yang X, Deng X, Wu M, Chen SW, Jiang M, Long L, Chen BT. Neuroimaging features of primary central nervous system post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder following hematopoietic stem cell transplant in patients with β-thalassemia: a case series and review of literature.
Insights Imaging 2024;
15:40. [PMID:
38353902 PMCID:
PMC10866827 DOI:
10.1186/s13244-024-01605-y]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE
Primary central nervous system post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PCNS-PTLD) is a rare but serious complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients with severe β-thalassemia. This study aimed to assess the clinical presentation, pathological characteristics, neuroimaging findings, and treatment strategies in patients with β-thalassemia who developed PCNS-PTLD and to compare a case series from our transplant center to reported cases from literature.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed our hospital database and identified four cases of pathologically confirmed PCNS-PTLD without a history of systemic PTLD in patients with severe β-thalassemia after HSCT. We also performed a relevant literature review on PCNS-PTLD.
RESULTS
The median time from transplantation to diagnosis of PCNS-PTLD was 5.5 months. Intracerebral lesions were usually multiple involving both supratentorial and infratentorial regions with homogeneous or rim enhancement. All patients had pathologically confirmed PCNS-PTLD with three patients having diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and the fourth patient having plasmacytic hyperplasia. There was low response to treatment with a median survival of 83 days.
CONCLUSION
PCNS-PTLD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with β-thalassemia who had an intracranial lesion on neuroimaging after HSCT.
CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT
This case series with a comprehensive review of neuroimaging and clinical characteristics of children with primary central nervous system post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder should advance our understanding and improve management of this rare yet severe complication following transplant for β-thalassemia.
KEY POINTS
• We assessed clinical presentation, treatment strategies, and neuroimaging characteristics of PCNS-PTLD in patients with β-thalassemia after transplantation. • Patients with β-thalassemia may have post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder presenting as brain lesions on neuroimaging. • Neuroimaging findings of the brain lesions are helpful for prompt diagnosis and proper management.
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