[Magnetic resonance imaging: more sensitive method in the detection of leukemic central nervous system infiltration].

PURPOSE: To define the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in identifying leukemic infiltration of central nervous system (CNS) in children.

METHODS

The MRI of CNS was carried out in 54 leukemic children (mean age 8.9 years). The results were compared with CSF cytology and neurological examinations.

RESULTS

Leukemic involvement of CNS (1 intracerebral infiltration, 5 meningeal intracranial infiltration, and 5 cases of intraspinal infiltration) was found in 11 children (20.4%)--6 of them were before treatment. Blasts in CSF were found only in 3 examined children.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study implicate the importance of routine MRI screening in leukemic children. We found especially important to perform the first examination before the onset of treatment because therapy may cause very quick regression of leukemic infiltration in CNS.