Late-onset severe hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in an allogeneic stem cell transplant recipient: A case report

RATIONALE: Hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) is a rare and potentially fatal complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Most severe SOS result in multi-organ dysfunction and are associated with a high mortality rate (>80%). PATIENT CONCERNS: A 31-year-old man was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia blast crisis. He presented with severe thrombocytopenia on day 42 post-HSCT (on days +42), gradually developed with painful hepatomegaly, ascites, and weight gain. DIAGNOSES: The abdominal computerized tomography showed hepatomegaly, hepatic congestion, periportal edema, narrow hepatic vein, and ascites suggestive of SOS/hepatic vein occlusion. According to the EBMT revised diagnostic criteria, the patient was diagnosed as late-onset severe SOS. INTERVENTIONS: Comprehensive treatment including low molecular weight heparin was initiated. OUTCOMES: The patient had good response with resolution of his hepatomegaly, increase of platelet, weight and transaminase loss after 4 weeks treatment. LESSONS: In SOS patients with nonspecific clinical and biochemical findings, computerized tomography scans can be useful in differentiating SOS from other complications after HSCT. low molecular weight heparin is effective for the treatment of SOS.