Unusual presentations of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: A case report

Abstract

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, (ALL) is increasingly reported to present in an atypical fashion which may have significant implications for treatment outcomes and survival. This case report presents a Nigerian child who’s clinical and radiological features together with effusion cytological findings were suggestive of metastatic neuroblastoma. However, a definitive diagnosis of ALL was established following a bone marrow  aspiration study that revealed abnormal cellularity consistent with L1 morphological subtype. Unfortunately, the child was discharged against medical advice before definitive therapy could be commenced.

Key words: Atypical presentations, metastatic neuroblastoma, childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.