Encephalopathy, stroke, and myocardial infarction with DMSO use in stem cell transplantation

Stem cell transplants are established therapy for hematologic and solid tumor malignancies. Known neurological complications of stem cell transplantation include CNS infection, seizures, strokes, metabolic encephalopathy, and hemorrhage. We report two cases of autologous stem cell transplantation complicated by cerebral infarction and myocardial injury. We postulate that the cryopreservative dimethyl sulfoxide may be responsible.