[Neurological complications in haematopoietic stem cell transplant patients]

Neurological complications are some of the most important complications that can occur in a patient undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), not only because of the high mortality rate, but also because of the sequelae that appear in survivors. The causes of such complications are manifold and very often coexist in the same patient: toxicity of the conditioning regimen, graft-versus-host disease and its treatment, infections and their treatment, platelets and coagulation disorders, liver failure or arterial hypertension with low platelet count.

The aim of the present study is to provide a clinical description and to describe the risk factors for complications involving the central nervous system that may occur during the course of HSCT, in order to assist in the early detection of these disorders that may have a negative influence on the morbidity and mortality of these patients.

The following types of neurological complications are described: central nervous system infections, vascular complications, pharmacological toxicity, metabolic complications, immune-mediated disorders and post-HSCT carcinogenesis, and effects of graft-versus-host disease and thrombotic microangiopathy on the nervous system.

The patient undergoing HSCT is at particular risk for the development of neurological complications. Early diagnosis and treatment are needed to try to reduce the high morbidity and mortality in these patients.