The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
2011 , Vol 53 , Num 5
Conus Medullaris Syndrome and Acute Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction in a Child with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Departments of 1 Pediatric Hematology, and 2 Radiology, Dr. A.Y. Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital, and
3Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
A 53/12-year-old boy with Philadelphia chromosome (+) pre-B acute
lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) without extramedullary involvement did not
achieve remission after induction therapy. His family stopped therapy, but he
was readmitted eight months later due to pyoderma, pneumonia and active
leukemia with leukocytosis. During cytoreductive and antibiotic therapy, he
developed progressive abdominal distension, pain, globe vesicale, tachypnea,
and respiratory alkalosis. Bowel sounds could not be auscultated. Dilation,
mainly in the large intestine, was detected radiologically. His neurological
examination revealed absence of superficial reflexes and hypoesthesia along
with normal motor strength and deep tendon reflexes in the lower extremities,
consistent with conus medullaris syndrome, which was thought to give rise
to acute colonic pseudo-obstruction.
Keywords :
conus medullaris syndrome, cauda equina syndrome, acute colonic pseudoobstruction,
acute lymphoblastic leukemia.