Acute parkinsonian syndrome with demyelinating leukoencephalopathy in bone marrow transplant recipients

Abstract

A syndrome of rigidity, bradykinesia, spasticity, and often myoclonus and dementia developed acutely in 5 patients who had undergone successful engraftment of bone marrow transplants for the treatment of various hematologic diseases. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated widespread changes in white matter; brain biopsy disclosed mild demyelination associated with active phagocytosis of myelin. One patient, who was not treated, remains severely demented. Patients treated with very high-dose methylprednisolone had complete clinical recovery.