Extensive pulmonary infiltration by leukemic blasts successfully treated with hydroxyurea--a case report

The initial presentation of acute leukemia as diffuse pulmonary infiltrates, especially with respiratory distress, is relatively infrequent and poses a therapeutic dilemma. Here we report a case of acute myeloid leukemia with diffuse pulmonary infiltration and respiratory distress symptom as the initial presentation that responded to hydroxyurea dramatically. This case demonstrates that hydroxyurea can be used effectively to decrease blast cell count and resolve leukemic infiltration of both lungs in patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia.