leukostasis

Leukostasis (also called symptomatic hyperleukocytosis) is a medical emergency most commonly seen in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. It is characterized by an extremely elevated blast cell count and symptoms of decreased tissue perfusion. The pathophysiology of leukostasis is not well understood, but inadequate delivery of oxygen to the body's cells is the result. Leukostasis is diagnosed when white cell plugs are seen in the microvasculature. The most common symptoms are dyspnea and hypoxia, usually accompanied by visual changes, headaches, dizziness, confusion, somnolence, and coma. Prompt treatment is required since, if left untreated, it has a very high mortality rate. Treatments aim to rapidly reduce white blood cell counts while also treating the underlying disorder.

== Overview == thumb|Leukocytes Symptomatic hyperleukocytosis (leukostasis) is defined by a high blast cell count along with symptoms of decreased tissue perfusion. Leukostasis is associated with people who have bone and blood disorders and is very common among people with acute and chronic myeloid leukemia. Leukostasis is a pathologic diagnosis that inhibits efficient flow to the microvasculature of the body. Continued and untreated leukostasis presents respiratory and neurological distress simultaneously and is a medical emergency, with mortality rates reaching between 20 and 40 percent when untreated. A leukemia blood cell count greater than or signifies hyperleukocytosis. Above , symptoms of leukostasis start.