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Isolation of Precursor B-cell Subsets from Umbilical Cord Blood
Published on: April 16, 2013
Precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting as obstructive jaundice: a case report.
Muhammad N Siddique1, Muhammad Popalzai, Nelly Aoun
1Department of Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, 475 Seaview Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305, USA. mnaumansiddique@gmail.com.
Journal of Medical Case Reports
|July 5, 2011
Summary
Jaundice in adults rarely signals acute leukemia. This case highlights precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting with jaundice and liver infiltration, emphasizing its consideration in unexplained cases.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Hepatology
- Oncology
Background:
- Acute leukemias uncommonly manifest with jaundice.
- Jaundice as an initial symptom of leukemia is rare, especially in adults.
- This report details a unique case of precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting with jaundice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting with jaundice in an adult.
- To highlight the diagnostic challenges posed by leukemia presenting as unexplained jaundice.
- To emphasize the importance of considering leukemia in the differential diagnosis of jaundice.
Main Methods:
- A case study of a 44-year-old male with jaundice and abdominal pain.
- Diagnostic work-up included blood tests, imaging, and liver biopsy.
- Diagnosis of precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia confirmed by liver and bone marrow biopsies.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with pancytopenia, hyperbilirubinemia, and hepatomegaly.
- Liver biopsy revealed lymphocytic infiltration and bile stasis, with no radiographic biliary obstruction.
- Diagnosis of precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia was established.
Conclusions:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained jaundice.
- Leukemia presenting with jaundice without radiographic biliary obstruction poses a diagnostic dilemma.
- Further research into immunophenotypic and cytogenetic markers may elucidate the pathophysiology of hepatic leukemia infiltration.
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