Extradural chloroma with spinal compression--an unusual presentation of acute myelogenous leukemia

Chloromas are solid tumours resulting from the localised proliferation of myelogenous leukemia cells, and are frequently responsible for the initial manifestations of acute myelocytic leukemia. We report a patient with a thoracic extradural chloroma whose presentation with acute paraplegia led to the diagnosis of an unsuspected myelocytic leukemia. Early recognition of the etiology of the paraplegia and the underlying systemic involvement with leukemia resulted in an excellent neurological and hematological outcome. The previously described association of the 8:21 chromosomal translocation with a good prognosis is noted in our patient.