Dementia Syndrome Revealing Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Department of Neurology at Fann National Teaching Hospital in Dakar (Senegal)

Abstract

Dementia is a serious disease due to its morbidity and mortality. The etiology is dominated by Alzheimer's disease.However, there are dementia syndromes related to treatable and potentially curable cause. It's rarely reported in clinical practice in our context. We report a case of dementia associated with lymphoblastic acute leukemia complicated by lymphocytic meningitis. F. ND aged 66, widow, unschooled and unemployed was hospitalized for gait disturbance and progressive appearance of memory disorders. On physical examination, there was a dementia syndrome, bilateral pyramidal syndrome. The rest of the clinical examination associated with additional tests (thoraco-abdominal-pelvic CT scan, lumbar puncture, and myelogram) was in favor of lymphocytic meningitis and acute lymphocytic leukemia. Dementia is a disease in which the search for the cause is crucial for considering an etiological support. Blood diseases such as LAL are treatable causes. The clinic provides a guidance element of research. Also, multidisciplinary care is necessary in these kinds of patients for a better development. This scientific cooperation must be done with, hematologists, internal medicine specialists and other colleagues.