J Korean Soc Transplant.
2007 Jun;21(1):143-146.
Spontaneous Cauda Equina Syndrome in a Renal Transplant Patient with Long-term Azathioprine Treatment
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. yangch@catholic.ac.kr
Abstract
- Azathioprine is a conventional immunosuppressant in renal transplantation but long-term administration may lead to hematologic complications. We here report a cauda equina syndrome caused by spontaneous epidural hematoma in a renal transplant recipient who had undergone long-term azathioprine treatment. A 34 year-old male was admitted to our hospital with complaints of numbness of the lower extremities and back pain. He had received renal transplantation 14 years ago and had been on sole therapy with azathioprine for 11 years. Three months before admission, the patient developed pancytopenia, and a subsequent bone marrow biopsy revealed hypocellularity. Azathioprine was replaced by tacrolimus and steroids thereafter. After a three months discontinuation of azathioprine, an epidural hematoma developed and resulted in cauda equina syndrome. Regular follow-up of complete blood count and change of immunosuppressants with less bone marrow toxicity should be considered in patients receiving azathioprine for long-term period.
MeSH Terms
- Full Text Links
-
- Actions
-
Cited
- CITED
-
- Close
- Share
-
- Similar articles
-
- Causes and Clinical Manifestations of Cauda Equina Syndrome
- Cavernous Hemangioma of the Cauda Equina
- MRI of Cauda Equina Syndrome in Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Case Report
- Anatomical and Pathophysiological Features of Cauda Equina
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome in a Renal Transplant Recipient Treated with Long-term Azathioprine
