POSTTRANSPLANTATION LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE DISORDER IN PATIENTS UNDER PRIMARY TACROLIMUS (FK-506) IMMUNOSUPPRESSION

Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a well-desc ribed complication of the systemic immunosuppression required for succ essful organ transplantation, Lesions of PTLD often occur in the regio n of the head and neck and require otolaryngologic evaluations. Althou gh the majority of reported cases of PTLD are associated with cyclospo rine immunosuppression, recently, PTLD has been described in patients treated solely with the newer systemic immunosuppressive agent tacroli mus (FK 506). As an introduction to tacrolimus and to PTLD as one of i ts complications, a case of PTLD presenting as airway obstruction in a child treated solely with tacrolimus immunosuppression is described. In addition, a review of tacrolimus and PTLD in patients under tacroli mus immunosuppression is presented to familiarize the otolaryngologist with this important new immunosuppressive agent and a potential compl ication of its use.