Logo American Journal of Case Reports

Call: 1.631.629.4328
Mon-Fri 10 am - 2 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports

10 February 2015 : Case report  USA

Acute Appendicitis Secondary to Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Unusual clinical course, Challenging differential diagnosis, Educational Purpose (only if useful for a systematic review or synthesis)

Eduardo A. RodriguezEF, Marvin A. LopezF, Kartik ValluriF, Danlu WangF, Andrew FischerE, Tatiana PerdomoC

DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.892760

Am J Case Rep 2015; 16:73-76

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The gastrointestinal tract is a rare site for extramedullary involvement in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).

CASE REPORT: A 43-year-old female with no past medical history presented complaining of mild abdominal pain, fever, and chills for the past day. On examination, she was tachycardic and febrile, with mild tenderness of her right lower quadrant and without signs of peritoneal irritation. Laboratory examination revealed pancytopenia and DIC, with a fibrinogen level of 290 mg/dL. CT of the abdomen showed a thickened and hyperemic appendix without perforation or abscess, compatible with acute appendicitis. The patient was given IV broad-spectrum antibiotics and was transfused with packed red blood cells and platelets. She underwent uncomplicated laparoscopic appendectomy and bone marrow biopsy, which revealed neoplastic cells of 90% of the total bone marrow cellularity. Flow cytometry indicated presence of 92.4% of immature myeloid cells with t (15: 17) and q (22: 12) mutations, and FISH analysis for PML-RARA demonstrated a long-form fusion transcript, positive for APL. Appendix pathology described leukemic infiltration with co-expression of myeloperoxidase and CD68, consistent with myeloid sarcoma of the appendix. The patient completed a course of daunorubicin, cytarabine, and all trans-retinoic acid. Repeat bone marrow biopsy demonstrated complete remission. She will follow up with her primary care physician and hematologist/oncologist.

CONCLUSIONS: Myeloid sarcoma of the appendix in the setting of APL is very rare and it might play a role in the development of acute appendicitis. Urgent management, including bone marrow biopsy for definitive diagnosis and urgent surgical intervention, dramatically improve prognosis.

Keywords: Appendectomy - methods, Appendicitis - surgery, Appendix - surgery, Diagnosis, Differential, Laparoscopy, Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute - complications, Leukemic Infiltration - pathology, Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Add Comment 0 Comments

1070 13

In Press

01 Dec 2023 : Case report  Brazil

Life-Threatening Electrical Storm Following Liver Transplantation: A Case Report

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI:  

01 Dec 2023 : Case report  Belgium

Innovative Approach to Difficult Airway Management: Utilizing the Cook® Airway Exchange Catheter for Double...

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI:  

01 Dec 2023 : Case report  Saudi Arabia

Successful Conservative Therapy for Infected Penile Implants: A Case Series

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI:  

30 Nov 2023 : Case report  Puerto Rico

Scuba Diving-Induced Inner-Ear Pathology: Imaging Findings of Superior Semicircular Canal and Tegmen Tympan...

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI:  

Most Viewed Current Articles

06 Dec 2021 : Case report  Brazil

Lipedema Can Be Treated Non-Surgically: A Report of 5 Cases

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.934406

Am J Case Rep 2021; 22:e934406

07 Dec 2021 : Case report  USA

Edwardsiella tarda: A Classic Presentation of a Rare Fatal Infection, with Possible New Background Risk Fac...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.934347

Am J Case Rep 2021; 22:e934347

19 Jul 2022 : Case report  Saudi Arabia

Atlantoaxial Subluxation Secondary to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Rare Orthopedic Complication from COVID-19

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936128

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936128

13 Jul 2022 : Case report  USA

Whistling Scrotum: An Unusual Presentation of Pneumomediastinum in the Setting of an Open Scrotal Wound

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936441

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936441

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923
American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923