Neurological complications of first 100 orthotopic liver transplantation patients in southern Iran.

Neurological complications which are responsible for significant mortality and morbidity after orthotopic liver transplantation have been reported in 8.3% to 47% of cases in various series. This prospective study was performed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of neurological complications in the first 100 patients who have undergone orthotopic liver transplantation from 1993 to 2004. Neurological symptoms and signs as well as routine laboratory tests, including complete blood cell counts, electrolyte levels, drug levels, microbiologic and serological studies, brain computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and electrodiagnostic studies were reviewed in all patients. Follow-up periods were from 2 months to 10 years. Nineteen patients of mean age of 34.9 years developed neurological complications after orthotopic liver transplantation. The most common neurological symptoms and signs were confusion (42.1% of cases with neurological complications), convulsions (36.8%), and hallucinations (31.6%). Hepatic encephalopathy (31.6%) and drug toxicity (26.2%) were the most common neurological syndromes. The mortality rate was significantly higher among patients with neurological complications. Compared to other centers, neurological complications were less common in our center.