Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A "Head to Toe" Examination

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Oncology
• Infectious Disease

Background:

• Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a diverse hematologic malignancy.
• Infections are frequent complications in AML patients.
• Clinical presentations of AML can be varied and non-specific.

Observation:

• A patient presented with a necrotic foot ulcer and leukocytosis, diagnosed as osteomyelitis.
• Following initial treatment for osteomyelitis, the patient developed knee swelling and lymphadenopathy.
• Further investigation revealed an underlying diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia.

Findings:

• The initial presentation mimicked a straightforward osteomyelitis infection.
• Undiagnosed acute myeloid leukemia was the underlying cause of the patient's complex symptoms.
• A thorough clinical examination is essential to avoid overlooking serious conditions.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering hematologic malignancies in patients with atypical or persistent infections.
• It emphasizes the need for comprehensive diagnostic workups beyond initial apparent diagnoses.
• Awareness of subtle AML presentations can improve patient outcomes by enabling timely oncologic intervention.