The evaluation in a newly diagnosed case of acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL) should routinely include all of the following except
**Question:** The evaluation in a newly diagnosed case of acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL) should routinely include all of the following except
A. Complete blood count (CBC)
B. Bone marrow examination
C. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
D. Chest X-ray
**Correct Answer:** .
**Core Concept:** Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant disorder characterized by the rapid proliferation of immature lymphoid cells, leading to accumulation of these cells in the bone marrow, blood, and sometimes other tissues. The correct evaluation of a newly diagnosed ALL case is essential for proper diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** A chest X-ray is not routinely included in the evaluation of ALL, as it is more useful in assessing pulmonary involvement or detecting extramedullary disease, which are less common in acute lymphoblastic leukemia compared to acute myeloid leukemia. Bone marrow examination, however, is crucial for confirming the diagnosis, assessing bone marrow infiltration, and identifying minimal residual disease (MRD). Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is not specific to ALL and can be elevated in several other conditions, making it less valuable compared to CBC and bone marrow examination. Complete blood count (CBC) provides essential information about the number and types of cells, including white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells, which are crucial for assessing the severity of the condition and monitoring response to treatment.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
**A. Complete blood count (CBC)**
- CBC is essential for assessing the severity of the disease, monitoring response to treatment, and detecting minimal residual disease (MRD)
- CBC provides information about white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells, which are vital for assessing the condition and treatment response
**B. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)**
- LDH is not specific to ALL, can be elevated in various other conditions, making it less valuable compared to CBC and bone marrow examination
- Monitoring of LDH levels is not as crucial as assessing bone marrow infiltration and detecting MRD, which can be achieved through CBC, bone marrow examination, and clinical assessment
**C. Serum LDH:**
- As mentioned above, serum lactate dehydrogenase is not specific to ALL and can be elevated in several other conditions. Monitoring LDH levels is not as critical as assessing bone marrow infiltration and detecting minimal residual disease (MRD), which can be achieved through complete blood count (CBC), bone marrow examination, and clinical assessment
**D. Chest X-ray:**
- Chest X-ray is more useful in detecting extramedullary disease and pulmonary involvement, which are relatively rare in ALL compared to AML
- Assessing bone marrow infiltration and detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) is more crucial in ALL diagnosis and treatment response monitoring, which can be achieved through complete blood count (CBC), bone marrow examination, and clinical assessment
**Clinical Pearl:**
Adequate evaluation of ALL typically involves:
1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
2. Bone marrow examination
3.