Extracorporeal life support in the acute management of tumour lysis syndrome.

A 16-month old boy presented with a severe tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) complicating induction therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia. This was further complicated by a respiratory syncytial virus infection. The failure of response to escalating treatment necessitated the use of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) during continuation of his induction chemotherapy. He was weaned from support after the resolution of the TLS and completed chemotherapy successfully. ECLS may have a role to play in the acute support of children with cardiorespiratory failure as a result of malignancy or the required treatment.