The clinical and radiological observation of 80 cases of leukemia

ABSTRACT

The leukemias are the most common form of childhood cancer. The same kinds of leukemia are found in childrenand in adults. Because the radiologist is involved in the initial diagnosis, the evaluation of response to therapyand demonstration of complications, it is important that he understands the clinical and radiological features ofleukemia. This report is a clinical and radiological review of 80 cases who visited to Chonnam National UniversityHospital from Jan. 1977 to June 1981. The results are summarized as follows. 1. Most prevalent group of age wasbetween 10 to 14 years old(25%) and male was affected more frequently than female with the ratio of 1.4:1. Acuteform of leukemia was 95% and acute myelocytic leukemia was more frequent than acute lymphocytic leukemia. 2.Pallor with anemic conjuctiva was the most prominent clinical manifestation of the leukemia. Fever was the mostcommon symptom in childhood leukemia and general weakness was the most common in adult leukemia. 3. Hematologicexamination revealed marked anemia(Hemoglobin level was less than 8.0gm/100ml in 65%). In 17.5% the leukocytecount was less than 5,000/cu.mm and more than 10,000/cu.mm in 65%. Platelet count was less than 50,000/cu/mm in 23.8% and between 50,000 and 150,000/cu.mm in 43.7%. 4. The abnormal findings in chest X-ray films were observedin 35%. Pneumonia(18.8%) was the most common and lymphadenopathy(17.5%), pleural effusion(12.5%), leukemicinfiltration (3.75%), pulmonary congestion and pulmonary edema(3.75%) were descending order of frequency. 5. Theabnormal findings in long bone X-ray films were observed in 75% and the bone changes were more frequent in acutelymphocytic leukemia (57.1%) than in acute myelocytic leukemia(17.9%). Metaphseal transverse radiolucent band(75.0%) was the most common and osteolytic lesion(60.7%), periosteal reaction (35.7%), osteosclerosis(7.1%) were descending order of frequency. 6. The common sites of bony changes were femur(75%), tibia(57.1%), fibular(57.1%)humerus, radius and ulna in order of frequency. 7. In 35.7% of the cases who complained of bone or joint pain withabnormal findings in long bone x-ray films, leukocyte count was less than 5,000/cu.mm.