NERVOUS SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT IN BURKITT'S LYMPHOMA IN KENYA

Abstract

Nervous system involvement in thirty-seven patients of Burkitt's lymphoma admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital between January 1970 and September 1971, is discussed. 60% of patients either presented with or developed involvement of nervous system. Neurological abnormalities consisted of malignant pleocytosis, asymptomatic or ssociated with other lesions, cranial nerve lesions, paraplegia, epileptic fits, altered onsciousness, vomiting, foot drop and root pains. On excluding cases with asymptomatic malignant pleocytosis, the incidence of neurological complications falls to 32%. Facial tumours carry a slightly higher risk (59%) of nervous system involvement than patients with no facial tumours (50%). There is also greater possibility of CNS involvement in patients with multiple tumours. Exact pathogenesis of paraplegia is still not clear.