Reversible Ischemic Cerebrovascular Disease Associated with Hyperleukocytosis in a Patient with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Abstract

A 31-year-old man with chronic myelogenous leukemia in a chronic phase complicated with reversible ischemic cerebrovascular disease is described. Before therapy, the WBC count was 530.0 x 109/1. Four days after initiation of busulfan, he rapidly developed disturbance of consciousness and right hemiplegia. Computerized tomography demonstrated the presence of multiple low density areas in the cerebrum. The symptoms were, however, completely relieved in accordance with the decrease in the WBC counts in 8 days. Repeated CT studies showed no abnormal findings after one month. The intracranial change was considered to be one of the manifestations of hyperleukocytic syndrome. © 1990, The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine. All rights reserved.