L-asparaginase induced intracranial haemorrhage in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
A 20-year-old national serviceman with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, developed a large left parieto-occipital haemorrhage 7 days after completion of induction chemotherapy. Severe hypofibrinogenemia had been noted while he was receiving L-asparaginase. The haemorrhage could not be attributed to thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, arterio-venous malformation, berry aneurysm or leukaemic infiltration because each of these causes was carefully investigated into and excluded. We conclude that the intracranial haemorrhage was likely L-asparaginase induced, an uncommon but recognised complication associated with L-asparaginase therapy.
Lim
H L
HL
Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore.
Teo
C P
CP
Wong
K
K
Kueh
Y K
YK
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001215:Asparaginase