[Vertebral compression fractures--the first manifestations of acute lymphoblastic leukemia of childhood].

We report 6 children, aged 4.5- 16 years, with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with back pain, exacerbated by walking as the first symptom of disease. Collapse of the vertebral bodies at multiple levels was shown on imaging. The presented group had good prognosis. In densitometric examination of BMD (bone mineral density) was observed loss in the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae in 5 out of 6 children. Chemotherapy resulted in decrease of pain and spontaneous remodelling of the vertebrae.