title: L-asparaginase induced intracranial haemorrhage in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Teo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Y K
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Kueh
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001215:Asparaginase