Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (abdominal complications)

Abdominal complications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can occur early (0-100 days) or late (>100 days) post-transplant.

Complications

Early

• bacterial infections, e.g. pseudomembranous colitis
• fungal infections, often affecting the esophagus or as hepatic/splenic microabscesses
• viral infections, e.g. CMV gastroenteritis or hepatitis
• hepatic veno-occlusive disease (a.k.a. hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome)
• hemorrhagic cystitis
• acute graft versus host disease (GvHD), most commonly affecting skin, liver, gastrointestinal tract
• drug-induced hepatotoxicity
• typhlitis
• benign pneumatosis intestinalis

Late

• chronic GvHD
  • can also manifest as hemorrhagic cystitis
  • often treated with steroids, which has its own complications (e.g. avascular necrosis)
• post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder