1 The Children's Cancer Research Foundation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
2 The Department of Pediatrics (Tumor Therapy Service), The Department of Radiotherapy, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Children's Cancer Research Foundation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
Two patients with acute leukemia who presented with pericardial tamponade as part of the initial manifestations are described. The diagnosis in one patient was confirmed by pericardiocentesis. Both patients responded satisfactorily to the simultaneous administration of radiotherapy and chemotherapy; therapeutic pericardiocenteses were not required. Ancillary measures to avoid the complications of hyperuricemia were employed.