A rare presentation of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia with obstructive jaundice due to pancreatic involvement : case report

Abstract EN

Obstructive jaundice due to pancreatic mass is a rare manifestation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children with only a few reported cases.

We report the clinical, hematological and radiological findings of a 20-month-old boy with pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia and pancreatic involvement.

Liver function tests showed an obstructive picture and a computed tomography scan of his abdomen demonstrated bulky pancreas with a hypodense texture.

Three weeks after induction chemotherapy his jaundice resolved, the pancreatic mass reduced in size and he is now in complete hematological remission.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia may mimic other causes of a pancreatic mass and should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis when atypical features are present.