Vertebral fractures as initial signs for acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Common presenting symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children are well known and include pallor, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Limb pain is sometimes described and can be misleading. We describe two recent cases seen in our emergency department, where vertebral fractures, a much rarer find...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPediatric emergency care Vol. 17; no. 4; p. 258
Main Authors Carrière, B, Cummins-Mcmanus, B
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.08.2001
Subjects
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Humans
Lumbar Vertebrae - injuries
Male
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma - complications
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma - diagnosis
Spinal Fractures - etiology
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Summary:Common presenting symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children are well known and include pallor, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Limb pain is sometimes described and can be misleading. We describe two recent cases seen in our emergency department, where vertebral fractures, a much rarer finding, were the only presenting symptoms that led to the diagnosis. One case had been thoroughly evaluated only 5 weeks prior to the diagnosis and included magnetic resonance imaging. The second patient was rapidly referred to our center with a history of acute lumbar pain. Emergency physicians caring for children must be aware of this rare type of presentation of leukemia.
ISSN:0749-5161
DOI:10.1097/00006565-200108000-00009