ABDOMINAL COMPLICATIONS AFTER BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANTATION IN CHILDREN- SONOGRAPHIC AND CT FINDINGS

Bone marrow transplantation is increasingly used in children to treat refractory malignant neoplasms, immunodeficiency syndromes, and hemato poietic and genetic disorders. In preparation for the transplantation, patients receive high doses of chemotherapeutic agents and total-body irradiation to destroy residual malignant cells or dysfunctional marr ow and to prevent rejection of the graft. A variety of abdominal and p elvic complications may occur after transplantation because of pancyto penia, the direct toxic effects of the preparative regimen, graft-vs-h ost disease, or immunosuppression. This essay illustrates the CT and s onographic appearances of these complications.