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Published on: September 25, 2012
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Acute lymphocytic leukemia presenting as a single brain mass
Sarah K B Bick1, Navid Redjal1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Summary
A rare case of B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia initially presenting as a brain mass is detailed. This unique presentation required surgical debulking before chemotherapy, highlighting challenges in diagnosing and managing intracranial leukemia.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Hematology
Background:
- Leptomeningeal infiltration is the most common route for hematologic malignancies to spread to the central nervous system.
- Intracranial involvement by leukemia presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
Observation:
- A unique case of a woman presenting with a right parietal mass as the initial manifestation of B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is described.
- The patient underwent surgical debulking due to diagnostic uncertainty before initiating chemotherapy.
Findings:
- The patient experienced relapse several months post-chemotherapy.
- The case underscores the aggressive nature and potential for unusual presentations of B cell ALL.
Implications:
- This case emphasizes the need for heightened awareness of rare presentations of B cell ALL.
- Further research into optimal management strategies for intracranial leukemic involvement is warranted.
- Early and accurate diagnosis is critical for effective treatment of CNS leukemia.
