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Acute leukemia presenting as pericardial effusion--a case report
1Department of Medicine All India Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi, India.
Singapore Medical Journal
|April 29, 1998
Summary
Pericardial effusion, a rare presenting sign of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), can resolve with chemotherapy. Early physician awareness is crucial for diagnosing ALL when it precedes blood evidence.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a hematologic malignancy.
- Pericardial effusion, fluid around the heart, is common at autopsy in leukemia patients.
- Clinically significant pericardial effusion is rare in active leukemia.
Observation:
- A patient presented with pericardial effusion.
- No hematologic evidence of leukemia was detected at the time of presentation.
- The pericardial effusion resolved following chemotherapy treatment.
Findings:
- This case highlights an extremely rare presentation of ALL.
- Pericardial effusion preceded overt hematologic signs of leukemia.
- Chemotherapy effectively treated the pericardial effusion.
Implications:
- Increased physician awareness is vital for diagnosing leukemia presenting solely with pericardial effusion.
- This case underscores the importance of considering uncommon presentations of hematologic malignancies.
- Early diagnosis of ALL, even without typical hematologic markers, can lead to timely and effective treatment.