ABSTRACT
A 2 years old male child was admitted in Dhaka Shishu Hospital with one month history of fever, swelling and pain in joints of right leg. Hematological and microbiological investigation revealed normal except radiological findings when there were destructive lesions of affected bones and thought to be Langerhan's cell histiocytosis but did not respond to treatment. Subsequently, he was transfer to Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) for proper management. On examination, the boy was mildly pale, severe bone pain, no organomegaly but few occipital group of lymphnode were palpable. He had extensive red tender swelling over the hands and legs. Hematological values showed high WBC, low platelet count and lymphoblasts. Biochemical values were high serum LDH and serum uric acid. Skeletal survey showed diffuse osteolytic lesion and osteoporosis with evidence of transverse metaphyseal radiolucent bands (leukemic line), lamellar periosteal reactions and cortical erosions widespread throughout the skeleton with subperiosteal new bone formation. Radioisotop of skeleton showed increase uptake at the site of lesions. Bone marrow aspiration findings were suggestive of ALL-L1 and cytochemistry of aspirate showed PAS positive and Sudan black negative. Immunophenotype confirmed as pre-B ALL, Then, protocol based induction had given for 4 weeks. Thereafter, a short course of intensification followed by maintenance therapy had started with significant improvement of physical, hematological and radiological findings. So, an awareness of varied clinical and radiological manifestations of childhood ALL in bone marrow and skeletal system are needed in order to establish a correct diagnosis when the presenting signs and symptoms are enigmatic. It is also important to keep in mind the possibility of extensive skeletal involvement in ALL, especially when a child present with pain, swelling of limb with walking difficulties. The curability of ALL in contrast to metastatic malignancies makes accurate diagnosis of paramount importance.
ABSTRACT
The estimation of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is easy, readily available and economic. We can assume the prognosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) through this measurement. This case control prospective study was aimed to evaluate that the level of serum LDH has the prognostic marker of childhood ALL. The study was carried out in the Paediatric Haematology and Oncology unit, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, during the period from January to December 2006 on 69 subjects with age ranging from birth to 15 years irrespective of sex. The study subjects were grouped into case (ALL-44) and control (healthy-25). Serum LDH level were performed in ALL patients on admission, day 14 and day 29 of induction and in healthy control when came for check up and found healthy. Haematological parameters were performed in ALL patients and in healthy control along with the measurement of serum LDH. On admission the level of serum LDH was significantly raised in ALL patients than healthy control (p<0.001). After induction, serum LDH level were significantly decreased at day 14 and day 29 of induction from admission (p<0.001). There was significant rise of platelet count were observed at day 29 of induction from admission (p<0.001). A significant decrease of peripheral and bone marrow blast cell percentages were observed at day 29 of induction from admission (p<0.001). The total WBC count was significantly decreased along with serum LDH at day 14 and day 29 of induction from admission (p<0.001). So, the measurement of serum LDH can be accepted as a good and reliable prognostic marker of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.