Central nervous system involvement in hairy cell leukemia.
A patient with central nervous system involvement by hairy cell leukemia is reported. Hairy cells were identified in the cerebrospinal fluid by electron microscopy and by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase positive staining. Intrathecal treatment with methotrexate resulted in neurologic improvement, but was complicated by Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis. The leukemic phase of the disease was later successfully controlled by treatment with alpha interferon. Surface marker studies indicated a B- and T-cell phenotype of the hairy cells.
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007943:Leukemia, Hairy Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology
D007370:Interferon Type I; D008727:Methotrexate