intracerebral leukocytostasis (Ball's disease)

Introduction

A potentially fatal complication of acute leukemia, especially acute myelogenous leukemia, with WBC > 100,000/mm3.

Etiology

• ACUTE leukemia, especially acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
• NOT a feature of high WBC counts associated with:
  • chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
  • chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)

Pathology

• increased blood viscosity with slowing of blood flow through the cerebral microvasculature when WBC > 100,000/mm3
• primitive leukemic cells are capable of invasion through the endothelium, resulting in hemorrhage into the brain

Clinical manifestations

• dizziness
• visual disturbances
• ataxia
• stupor
• coma

Laboratory

• complete blood count (CBC)
  • white blood cell count (WBC) > 100,000/mm3

Management

• whole brain irradiation (600 cGy)
• chemotherapy

More general terms

• disease/disorder primarily affecting brain

Additional terms

• acute leukemia