Case records of the Massachusetts General Hospital. Weekly clinicopathological exercises. Case 4-1993. A 73-year-old man with severe facial pain, visual loss, decreased ocular motility, and an orbital mass

Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Leptomeningeal disease is a rare complication of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We report a case of leptomeningeal disease in CLL with a complete clinical response and clearance of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) after treatment with ibrutinib and intrathecal rituximab. In a comprehensive review of the published literature since 1976, we found 136 cases of CLL with leptomeningeal spread. We found that leptomeningeal disease in patients with CLL responds favorably to treatment in most cases and is associated with longer overall survival than is expected for other cancers. Clearance of CSF is associated with improved survival. Treatment with rituximab and ibrutinib is more frequently associated with complete response compared with older agents. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The incidence of leptomeningeal CLL is more common than previously described and can be recognized by attention to certain symptoms and signs. This case presentation and literature review reveals that, in many cases, leptomeningeal lymphomatosis is reversible with the use of rituximab and ibrutinib. The authors show a survival benefit associated with treating to cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) clearance by cytology and compare outcomes with various treatment strategies, focusing on novel agents. Now that there is effective therapy for leptomeningeal lymphoma in CLL, the importance for oncologists to recognize this neurologic complication has become clear.

Leptomeningeal involvement in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Central nervous system involvement is considered a rare complication of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and so there is the risk of being overlooked.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of central nervous system involvement in a 75-year-old mulatto woman with chronic lymphocytic leukemia after 5 years of follow-up and a literature review on the subject. The clinical course, treatment and outcome are described. A systematic, meticulous and comprehensive analysis of existing publications regarding chronic lymphocytic leukemia with central nervous system involvement was performed.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that central nervous system involvement of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is probably not associated with any evident risk factors. Diagnostic approach differs by institutions but often includes imaging, morphology and flow cytometry. Resolution of central nervous system symptoms can usually be accomplished with intrathecal chemotherapy or irradiation followed by systemic treatment. The recognition of this entity by clinicians could lead to early detection and treatment, resulting in better outcomes in this rare complication.

A case of orbital apex syndrome due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection

Orbital apex syndrome is commonly been thought to have a poor prognosis. Many cases of this syndrome have been reported to be caused by paranasal sinus mycosis. We encountered a very rare case (60-year-old woman) of sinusitis with orbital apex syndrome due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. She had received insulin and dialysis for diabtes and diabetic nephropathy, moreover anticoagulants after heart by-pass surgery. She underwent endoscopic sinus operation and was treated with antibiotics, but her loss of left vision did not improve. Recently, sinusitis cases due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa were reported to be a increasing. Therefore, we should consider the possibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as mycosis as infections of the sinus, especially inpatients who are immunocompromised body.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia with central nervous system involvement: report of two cases with a comprehensive literature review

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is a rare complication of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with varied outcomes. We contribute two additional cases of CLL with CNS involvement. The clinical course and response to treatment are described. All 78 previously reported cases of CLL with CNS involvement are presented in this comprehensive review of the literature. CNS involvement of CLL is a rare complication that does not seem to correlate with any evident risk factors. Resolution of CNS symptoms can often be accomplished with intrathecal chemotherapy or irradiation. Early detection and treatment may result in better outcomes in this rare complication.

Bilateral infiltrative disease of the extraocular muscles: a rare clinical presentation of early stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Orbital involvement in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is highly unusual and most commonly involves hemorrhage or soft tissue infiltration in advanced disease. We report a case of rapid onset bilateral orbital muscle infiltration as the presenting feature of early stage CLL. In addition, we demonstrate clinico-pathological correlation with an identical chronic B-cell lymphocytic infiltrate in both orbit and bone marrow, with good response of the orbital disease to local radiotherapy.

Leptomeningeal disease in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common lymphoproliferative disorder in the western hemisphere, with an annual incidence of 3:100000. Commonly patients are asymptomatic but not rarely disease progression occurs in the setting of lymphadenopathy and extensive leukemic burden. Leptomeningeal involvement in patients with CLL is infrequent, with presenting symptoms of headache (23%), acute or chronic changes in mental status (28%), cranial nerve abnormalities (54%) including optic neuropathy (28%), weakness of lower extremities (23%) and cerebellar signs (18%). In this report, we discuss a CLL patient with leptomeningeal involvement, who presented with neurological symptoms as the first clinical sign, and a diagnosis of leptomeningeal was made based on CSF cytology and flow cytometry. Treatment consisted of radiation therapy and intrathecal chemotherapy with arabinoside-cytosine and systemic chemotherapy. On the basis of this patient-report together with 37 other previously reported cases, the clinical characteristics together with treatment options and outcome of leptomeningeal involvement in CLL are reviewed. Our case together with data from the literature indicate that a timely diagnosis and intensive treatment of leptomeningeal disease of CLL may lead to longstanding and complete resolution of neurological symptoms.

Lung cancer, proptosis, and decreased vision

A 48-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a 3-day history of decreased vision in a painful proptotic right eye. The patient was being treated with chemotherapy and radiation for non-small cell lung carcinoma. Examination showed visual acuity of hand motions, decreased motility, and an afferent pupillary defect on the right, consistent with an orbital apex syndrome. Neuroimaging revealed "dirty" orbital fat and no paranasal sinus disease. Orbital biopsy initially showed only fibrosis; however, on subsequent biopsies, nonseptate hyphae later identified as mucormycosis was recovered. The patient survived with exenteration and systemic amphotericin B.

Leptomeningeal involvement in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

PURPOSE

This review and case report address the rare complication of leptomeningeal involvement in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

OVERVIEW

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most common form of leukemia, with more than 200,000 cases reported in the past 20 years. An uncommon complication of the disorder is central nervous system invasion. To date, only 21 cases have been reported, and their presenting symptoms have been heterogeneous and often nonspecific, including headache, cranial nerve abnormalities, confusion, ataxia, nausea, vomiting, and fever. The diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of a clonal population of lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid. Treatment is either intrathecal or intraventricular chemotherapy with adjuvant radiation therapy or radiation alone. Prognosis is improved by prompt and aggressive therapy. In this case report, a 61-year-old man developed severe ataxia, vertigo, and occipital headaches 4 weeks after diagnosis with otherwise asymptomatic chronic lymphocytic leukemia. After treatment with both radiation to the head and neck and intrathecal methotrexate the patient achieved complete symptom resolution. Thus far, no additional systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy has been necessary.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Because central nervous system invasion is uncommon in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, it may go undiagnosed and under-reported. Providers of patients with this disease need to be aware of possible central nervous system invasion when patients present with cranial nerve signs or symptoms and/or nonspecific neurologic manifestations. Early identification and prompt central nervous system-directed chemotherapy can affect morbidity and quality of life positively.

Leukemic meningitis in B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia. A clinical, pathologic, and ultrastructural case study and a review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Leukemic meningitis is rare in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and B-prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL); a MEDLINE search for reports published 1960 and after disclosed only nine prior reports. A patient with stable Rai Stage II CLL/PL developed mental status changes. Lumbar puncture revealed a lymphocytic pleocytosis with prolymphocytes containing intracytoplasmic inclusions.

METHODS

The patient's cerebrospinal fluid lymphocyte population was analyzed by immunophenotyping and electron microscopy.

RESULTS

The studies revealed a clonal population of B prolymphocytes, with typical immunophenotypic and ultrastructural characteristics. The patient was treated with intrathecal chemotherapy with eventual resolution of the cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis and return to his normal neurologic status. Prior studies also have revealed the efficacy of intrathecal chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Leukemic meningitis in CLL or PLL is responsive to treatment with intrathecal chemotherapy.