title: L-asparaginase-induced severe necrotizing pancreatitis successfully treated with percutaneous drainage.
abstract: L-asparaginase is a key component of the antileukemic therapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Pancreatitis has been noted to be a complication in 2-16% of patients undergoing treatment with L-asparaginase for a variety of pediatric neoplasms. Most cases of pancreatitis associated with L-asparaginase toxicity are self-limiting and respond favorably to nasogastric decompression and intravenous hyperalimentation. However, in rare instances, hemorrhagic pancreatitis or necrosis may occur. L-asparaginase-induced pancreatitis is an uncommon but potential lethal complication of the treatment of leukemia. We present a pediatric patient with leukemia and a severe, L-asparaginase-induced necrotizing pancreatitis, treated successfully with percutaneous drainage used to flush the infected necrotic parts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Top
authors.forename: W J E
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Tissing
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kuiper
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pieters
authors.forename: C H J
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: van Eijck
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019283:Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001215:Asparaginase