Central nervous involvement by chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Abstract

Inclusion of the central nervous system (CNS) in the course of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is rare. At the moment no risk factors or proven treatment methods are known. The disease is described both in its early phase and during its acceleration period, thus it has been suggested that there might be independent mechanisms influencing the development of this condition. As there are no unified diagnostic procedure algorithms each patient needs to be assessed individually. CLL can manifest mostly in elderly people, for whom a possibility of development of neurological disorders with their aetiology different from leukaemia, should also be taken into consideration. The thesis presents a group of seven patients with CLL with CNS infiltration. Patients with prolymphocytic leukaemia, Richter's transformation and the original location of leukemic infiltration within the eye socket constitute an especially interesting case.

Keywords: Central nervous system infiltration; Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia; Intraventricular treatment.