Orthotopic liver transplantation for veno-occlusive disease complicating autologous bone marrow transplantation.

BACKGROUND

Veno-occlusive disease of the liver is a serious and often life-threatening complication after bone marrow transplantation. Although risk factors for the development of veno-occlusive disease have been postulated, there is no precise method for accurately identifying those patients who are at risk and for whom early intervention and treatment would have maximum potential benefit. Liver transplantation has been advocated as a treatment for veno-occlusive disease in selected patients.

METHODS

In this report, we describe a patient who underwent liver transplantation for life-threatening veno-occlusive disease after autologous bone marrow transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

RESULTS

Liver engraftment was achieved, but the patient developed Pneumocystis pneumonia, which failed to respond to pentamidine. The patient died 6 months after liver transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

While acknowledging the limited experience of orthotropic liver transplantation in this patient population, we suggest its consideration as a feasible, potentially beneficial treatment option in patients with severe veno-occlusive disease after bone marrow transplantation.