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Acute dacryocystitis as a presenting sign of pediatric leukemia. Am J Ophthalmol 1999 Jun;127(6):734-6

Date

06/18/1999

Pubmed ID

10372893

DOI

10.1016/s0002-9394(99)00023-9

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0032997037 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   11 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: To report acute dacryocystitis with preseptal cellulitis as the presenting sign of leukemia in a child.

METHODS: Case report and literature review.

RESULTS: During the initial evaluation of a 17-month-old child with epiphora, left lower eyelid swelling, and a tender left medial canthal mass, a complete blood cell count demonstrated pancytopenia. Bone marrow biopsy disclosed replacement of normal cellular architecture with a dense infiltrate of leukocyte blast forms. DNA analysis disclosed a translocation between chromosome 10 and 11, consistent with the diagnosis of nonlymphocytic leukemia. Although the adjacent lower eyelid cellulitis responded to intravenous antibiotics, lacrimal sac distention decreased only after chemotherapy was initiated.

CONCLUSIONS: Dacryocystitis with preseptal cellulitis can be a presenting sign of leukemia. This blood malignancy should be considered in patients whose leukocyte counts do not correlate with their clinical presentation.

Author List

Wirostko WJ, Garcia GH, Cory S, Harris GJ

Authors

Gerald J. Harris MD Professor in the Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences department at Medical College of Wisconsin
William Wirostko MD Professor in the Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Acute Disease
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
Cellulitis
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 10
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11
DNA, Neoplasm
Dacryocystitis
Drug Therapy, Combination
Eyelid Diseases
Female
Humans
Infant
Lacrimal Apparatus
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute
Nasal Septum
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Translocation, Genetic