title: Multiple intracranial tumors in Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: successful treatment following aggressive supportive care, early cranial radiation, high dose chemotherapy and imatinib.
abstract: We report the first case of multiple intracranial tumors ("chloromas") at diagnosis of Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The patient presented comatose with signs of cerebral herniation. Initial management of raised intracranial pressure and hyperleukocytosis followed by emergent whole brain radiation therapy reversed the life-threatening neurological signs. High-dose chemotherapy combined with daily imatinib mesylate induced a rapid and sustained bone marrow remission. Ongoing rehabilitation resulted in a near complete neurological recovery within 6 months of diagnosis. This outcome justifies aggressive early management of increased intracranial pressure and hyperleukocytosis in future similar presentations.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology-BMT, British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Geoff D E
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Cuvelier
authors.forename: Aleksander M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Vitali
authors.forename: Jason C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Dix
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001549:Benzamides; D001932:Brain Neoplasms; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012074:Remission Induction / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate