[Leukoencephalopathy in childhood leukemia (author's transl)]

Severe leukoencephalopathy occurred in three of thirty children after preventive central nervous system therapy (24 gray cranial and intrathecal methotrexate) for acute lymphocytic leukemia. Two of these children, in complete remission although chemotherapy was discontinued, have major neurological defects. This preventive therapy remains mandatory but some modifications could be discussed. The mechanism and the possibilities of prevention or of early recognition of this severe neurological impairment are discussed with references to other published cases.