Neurological manifestations of acute granulocytic leukemia

Of 17 consecutive patients with acute granulocytic leukemia, all of whom were treated with cytosine arabinoside, eight had neurological complications during some stage of their disease. This high occurrence of neurological findings represents a significant increase compared with the authors' experience and, in general, with that cited in the literature. The neurological findings were usually related to significant morbidity and to mortality. Early recognition of neurological problems depends mainly upon clinical and cerebrospinal fluid findings. Progression of neurological manifestations, which can be satisfactorily treated with radiotherapy or neurosurgical methods, may result in unnecessary morbidity and premature death.