Facial palsy as the presenting symptom of acute myeloid leukemia in children: Three cases with stem cell transplantations.
10.3345/kjp.2009.52.6.713
- Author:
Hee Jo BAEK
1
;
Dong Kyun HAN
;
Young Ok KIM
;
Ic Sun CHOI
;
Tai Ju HWANG
;
Hoon KOOK
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea. hoonkook@chonnam.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Facial palsy;
Acute myeloid leukemia;
Whole brain irradiation;
Stem cell transplantation;
Children
- MeSH:
Brain;
Child;
Facial Paralysis;
Humans;
Leukemia;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute;
Recurrence;
Stem Cell Transplantation;
Stem Cells
- From:Korean Journal of Pediatrics
2009;52(6):713-716
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Facial palsy as the presenting symptom of leukemia is very rare, especially in acute myeloid leukemia. A review of the medical literature identified reports on 8 children with AML who had facial paralysis as the presenting sign. Whole brain irradiation (WBI) has been applied in most cases. We present the cases of 3 such children. Achieving a remission without WBI, the patients underwent stem cell transplantations (SCTs). Two patients remain event-free 52 months and 62 months after allotransplants. Facial palsy was the harbinger of leukemic relapse in one case after autotransplant. This patient is disease-free 59 months after unrelated SCT rescue. Facial palsy persisted in 2 cases. Allogeneic SCT without WBI may be an effective therapy in patients presenting with facial palsy. A brief review of the literature is presented here.
