Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder Presenting as a Gastrointestinal Fistulous Tract in a Heart Transplant Recipient: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

We present a challenging case of Epstein-Barr virus-related isolated small bowel post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in a pediatric heart transplant recipient presenting as recurrent gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and subsequently a GI fistulous tract with associated intra-abdominal abscess. Diagnosis was not confirmed until exploratory laparoscopy was performed, with excision of the fistulous tract revealing evidence of PTLD on pathology. Early diagnosis of GI-PTLD remains a challenge, especially if isolated in the small intestine. Diagnosis may rely on positron emission tomography/ computed tomography scan (PET/CT) or invasive intervention to obtain appropriate tissue samples for pathology diagnosis.