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Radiological aspects of leukaemia in childhood

An analysis of 89 children

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Abstract

The change in radiological features of leukaemia, treated with modern methods, were studied in a retrospective investigation. Of 108 patients with leukaemia treated between 1964 and 1974 at the Children's Hospital, Heidelberg, 89 were studied. Radiological findings were divided into three groups: (i) alterations due to acute leukaemia in the initial phase (ii) late manifestations of leukaemia and (iii) alterations due to side-effects of antileukaemic therapy.

It became apparent that, with prolonged survival, there was an increase in the late manifestations of leukaemia, especially in the central nervous system. This was followed by a decrease after the introduction of the therapeutic regime described by Pinkel. The immunosuppressive effect of this antileukaemic therapy gave rise to life-threatening infections, notably with Pneumocystis carinii. Besides the leukaemic manifestations in bones, kidney, and the viscera of the thorax, there were steroid-induced osteoporosis, platyspondyly and aseptic bone necrosis, and, inflammatory gastrointestinal lesions. In addition, ileus sometimes followed administration of vincristine and toxic-allergic pneumonia after methotrexate therapy occurred.

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  1. Department of Radiology, University Children's Hospital, Heidelberg, F.R.G.

    G. Benz M. D., W. E. Brandeis & E. Willich

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Benz, G., Brandeis, W.E. & Willich, E. Radiological aspects of leukaemia in childhood. Pediatr Radiol 4, 201–213 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02461526

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