Transient ischemic attack as an unusual initial manifestation of acute promyelocytic leukemia

Patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) are prone to both bleeding and thrombosis. Both of these have a significant impact on the morbidity and mortality of patients with this disease. Here we report a case of a 41-year-old male, who presented with transient ischemic attack (TIA) and early neurological deterioration (END) as initial manifestations prior to an ultimate diagnosis of APL. This patient had no cerebrovascular risk factors or familial cerebrovascular disease. The patient experienced an acute ischemic stroke, verified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in less than 24 h after his second hospital admission. Some APL patients suffer from cerebral ischemia as an initial manifestation or during induction therapy, and patients presenting this condition may continue to deteriorate until their death during hospitalization. Thus, APL should be considered as a possible underlying disease in patients with TIA without cerebrovascular risk factors. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of APL can be fatal.