Temporal bone findings in central nervous system leukemia.

Central nervous system (CNS) leukemia is a pathologic condition whereby leukemic cells enter the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) causing meningeal irritation syndrome. Temporal bone findings in the case of a 32-year-old man who died of CNS leukemia are presented. He complained of fullness of the ear 4 months prior to death and of dizziness 1 month prior to death. Leukemic cells were seen to have infiltrated the scala tympani of the basal turn in the cochlea, the saccule, and posterior semicircular canal along the vestibulocochlear nerve.