CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC-LEUKEMIA WITH CNS INVOLVEMENT

Direct involvement of the brain by chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is extremely rare. This is the second documented case. A 63 year-old-m an presented with motor deficits, Conventional radiographic imaging sh owed no abnormalities but an MRI scan of the head showed a high signal intensity lesion in the left cerebellum. Biopsy of this area showed a perivascular infiltrate of small B lymphocytes consistent with CLL in volvement. The patient was treated with radiotherapy and had some impr ovement in symptoms. Three years later he remains alive with some neur ologic deficit. This case confirms that CLL can be complicated by dire ct brain involvement.