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Disseminated necrotizing leukoencephalopathy following chemoradiation therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia

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Abstract

Disseminated necrotizing leukoencephalopathy (DNL) is a potentially fatal complication of treatment involving intrathecal administration of chemotherapeutic agents such as methotrexate (MTX) alone or in combination with cranial radiotherapy (RT). We describe a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with high-dose intravenous and intrathecal methotrexate combined with craniospinal RT resulting in DNL. Typical MR imaging features of progressive deep white matter lesions showing a characteristic pattern of enhancement after contrast was seen in this case. Deep white matter lesions with ring-like enhancement and calcifications were seen on CT; it showed a mass effect at one stage, which is not typical for DNL. Long-term clinical and imaging follow-up were helpful for the diagnosis in this case.

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Correspondence to Ajaya R. Pande.

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This work was presented at the 280th Japan Radiological Society meeting, Chihokai Kansai, July 2, 2005

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Pande, A., Ando, K., Ishikura, R. et al. Disseminated necrotizing leukoencephalopathy following chemoradiation therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Radiat Med 24, 515–519 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-006-0059-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-006-0059-5

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