Arthritis as the presenting feature of childhood leukemia

Abstract

Abstract Five cases of childhood leukemia are described in which major presentation was arthritis. Three patients had normal hematologic studies when initially examined. Both monoarticular and polyarticular arthritis were seen. Joint swelling was caused by an increase in synovial fluid, but in 1 patient there seemed to be synovial thickening. Presentations and clinical courses were extremely variable and point out the necessity to consider leukemia in the differential diagnosis of children with arthritis.