Idiopathic Hyperammonemia: A Rare Complication Following Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Idiopathic hyperammonemia is a rare and serious complication of intensive cytoreductive chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies as well as after autologus or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). A 42-year-old woman with Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia was undertaken unrelated BMT. Fourteen days later, the patient developed hallucination, mental confusion, lethargy, incoordination and stupor. Laboratory tests revealed normal serum aminotransferases. The serum ammonia level is moderately increased. Parenteral alimentation was discontinued to lower protein intake and treatment with lactulose, metronidazole, carnitine, and flumazenil was started. Also, hemodialysis was performed. Despite of these appropriate therapies, she died of idiopathic hyperammonenia at twenty-two days after allogeneic BMT.