Related Experiment Videos
Infantile leukemia presenting with cholestasis secondary to massive pancreatic infiltration
Dana R Rausch1, Karen I Norton, Ronald B J Glass
1Department of Radiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Insights
A rare case of infantile leukemia caused pancreatic enlargement and neonatal cholestasis in a 10-week-old infant. This presentation highlights the need to consider leukemia in infants with unexplained cholestasis and pancreatic issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Neonatal Gastroenterology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Neonatal cholestasis is a critical condition requiring prompt diagnosis.
- Pancreatic enlargement is an uncommon finding in infants, especially in the context of leukemia.
- Acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) is rare in infants and typically presents differently.
Observation:
- A 10-week-old infant presented with cholestasis and was found to have biliary obstruction due to massive pancreatic infiltration via ultrasound.
- Diagnostic workup confirmed acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) as the underlying cause.
- The infant's pancreas showed significant enlargement, an unusual manifestation for both the age group and the disease.
Findings:
- Massive pancreatic infiltration leading to biliary obstruction can be a presenting sign of infantile acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL).
- Pancreatic enlargement in infants, while rare, should prompt consideration of hematologic malignancies.
- Neonatal cholestasis may be an early indicator of leukemia in infants.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering infantile leukemia in the differential diagnosis of neonatal cholestasis with pancreatic abnormalities.
- Early recognition of leukemia in infants presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms can lead to timely intervention and improved outcomes.
- Further research into the diverse presentations of infantile leukemia is warranted to enhance diagnostic capabilities.
Abstract:
We present a 10-week-old infant who presented with cholestasis. Biliary obstruction secondary to massive pancreatic infiltration was demonstrated by ultrasound. A diagnosis of acute lymphoid leukemia was confirmed. Enlargement of the pancreas is unusual both in this age group and in leukemia. Infantile leukemia, although rare and usually not associated with gastrointestinal presentations, should be considered as a cause of pancreatic enlargement and neonatal cholestasis.