Abstract
A questionnaire concerning patients with acute leukemia (under 15 years of age) complicated with encephalitis-encephalopathy, was sent to 68 pediatric facilities throughout the country; 54 cases were reported by the first survey. In 54 cases, we made the second detailed survey, and 24 cases (ALL) were confirmed in February 1985. Twenty of 24 patients displayed the syndrome of necrotizing leukoencephalopathy associated with cranial irradiation and the administration of methotrexate.The leukoencephalopathy in these cases developed after the therapy for the meningeal relapse of ALL.The remaining 4 cases were suspected of having encephalitis associated with viral infections. This survey suggested that the intrathecal methotrexate administration including cranial irradiation appeared to be the major factor for the development of leukoencephalopathy. As to neurologic sequelae of the therapy for meningeal leukemia, we should take into consideration possible viral infections of the central nervous system.
