Late-Onset Post-transplantation Central Nervous System Lymphoproliferative Disorder: Case Report

Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a heterogeneous group of conditions that complicate organ transplantation and are due to immunosuppression. Central nervous system (CNS)-PTLD is rare but its incidence is increasing. It often occurs late and is associated with kidney transplantation and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Outcomes are poor. We present the case of a 77-year-old white male who received a cadaveric kidney transplant in 2003. Maintenance immunosuppression consisted of mycofenolate mofetil (MMF), cyclosporine, and prednisolone. In 2017, while admitted for other cause, he presented with de novo epileptic seizures. Because the patient had a pacemaker, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could not be performed. The final diagnosis of CNS-PTLD was known through brain biopsy, after a suitable image was obtained with contrasted brain computed tomography (CT). EBV was positive in brain biopsy, cefalospinal fluid, and blood. Treatment was attempted with reduction of immunosuppression. Cyclosporine was switched to sirolimus. The patient died before administration of rituximab. The patient's performance status was poor. There must be awareness for neurological symptoms after kidney transplantation to timely diagnose CNS-PTLD. Contrasted brain CT may be useful to obtain a biopsy specimen in cases where MRI is impossible to use.