How is CNS disease categorized in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)?

Updated: Jan 03, 2019
  • Author: Vikramjit S Kanwar, MBBS, MBA, MRCP(UK), FAAP; Chief Editor: Jennifer Reikes Willert, MD  more...
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CNS disease is divided into the following groups:

  • CNS 1: Absence of blasts on CSF cytospin preparation, regardless of the WBC count

  • CNS 2: WBC count of less than 5/mL and blasts on cytospin findings, or WBC count of more than 5/mL but negative by Steinherz-Bleyer algorithm findings (if traumatic tap)

  • CNS 3: WBC count of 5/mL or more and blasts on cytospin findings and/or clinical signs of CNS leukemia (eg, facial nerve palsy, brain/eye involvement, hypothalamic syndrome)

See Workup for more detail.

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