Open AccessTherapy of central pontine myelinolysis following living donor liver transplantation: Report of three cases
Author(s) -
Zhongwei Zhang,
Yuetong Kang,
Lijing Deng,
Chuanxu Luo,
Yan Zhou,
Xue Xia,
Dong Wang,
Wei Hsian Yin
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.15.3960
Subject(s) - central pontine myelinolysis , medicine , coma (optics) , surgery , complication , liver transplantation , transplantation , hyponatremia , glasgow coma scale , physics , optics
We analyzed the clinical manifestations and experiences of diagnosing and treating central pontine myelinolysis following living donor liver transplantation. The clinical data of three patients with central pontine myelinolysis following living donor liver transplantation from January 2005 to November 2007 were retrospectively analyzed at the West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China. The three patients developed hyponatremia prior to surgery. Case 1 suffered locked-in syndrome following surgery, and received a large dose of gamma globulin, and subsequently recovered. Case 2 was in a coma for three days, and received hyperbaric chamber treatment. This patient remained in a mild coma for six months following surgery. Case 3 developed consciousness disturbances, gradually went into a coma following surgery, and died due to pulmonary infection. Central pontine myelinolysis is a severe complication in patients following living donor liver transplantation. Large-dose gamma globulin treatment, as well as hyperbaric oxygen, might be effective therapeutic methods.