Neuroradiology of leukemia

Patients with systemic leukemia, especially the acute leukemias, are at an increased risk of developing disease of the CNS or head and neck. Such disease may take the form of direct leukemic involvement, may result from underlying leukemic effects on the immune or hematopoietic systems, or may result from antileukemic therapy. This review presents the imaging and clinical features of the spectrum of CNS and head and neck disease that may be encountered in patients with systemic leukemia. An understanding of the role of radiology in the management of these patients is important to the practicing radiologist who is confronted with a leukemic patient presenting with signs and symptoms of neurologic dysfunction.