Cyclosporine A-associated fatal central nervous system angiopathy in a bone marrow transplant recipient: an autopsy case

Acta Neuropathol. 2000 Jun;99(6):680-4. doi: 10.1007/s004010051179.

Abstract

We report here the case of a 32-year-old woman who suffered from a unique angiopathy in the central nervous system (CNS). She died of multiple infarcts in the brain stem and cerebellum during treatment with cyclosporine A after bone marrow transplantation for refractory anemia with excess of blasts. The autopsy findings showed segmental narrowing of the basilar artery, in which circumferential dissection of the internal elastic lamina had occurred. The distal portion of the basilar artery was obstructed by upward dislocation of the dissected intima. Similar angiopathy was also observed at multiple sites along the basilar artery branches. These findings suggest endothelial damage, including vasoconstriction and dissection of the CNS arteries.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / pathology
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Cerebral Arteries / drug effects*
  • Cerebral Arteries / pathology
  • Cerebral Arteries / physiopathology
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Cyclosporine / adverse effects*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Peripheral Vascular Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Peripheral Vascular Diseases / pathology
  • Peripheral Vascular Diseases / physiopathology

Substances

  • Cyclosporine