Acute Paraplegia as the Initial Symptom of Acute Leukemia

ABSTRACT

Metastatic involvement of the central nervous system during the course of leukemia is an increasingly frequent occurrence because of the longer survival time brought about by the efficacious cytotoxic therapy available today. The onset of acute leukemia may be abrupt with a great variety of clinical manifestations. Most commonly, such as vomiting, headache, papilledema, lethargy and vertigo, are referable to increased intracranial pressure caused by infiltration of the cortex and meninges. The acute paraplegia as the initial symptom of acute leukemia is very rare. A case in which acute paraplegia occurred as the initial symptom of acute leukemia in a 15-year-old boy is reported.