Maxillo-orbital granulocytic sarcoma in acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract

Granulocytic sarcoma or chloroma, a manifestation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rare cause of childhood proptosis. A 14-year-old boy presented with progressively increasing unilateral proptosis and swelling of lower eyelid and face on the right side. Contrast enhanced computed tomographic images revealed enhancing infiltrates occupying the right orbit, maxillary antrum, and infratemporal fossa. Incisional biopsy from the orbital swelling and the bone marrow aspirate showing leukemic blast cells confirmed the diagnosis of AML. The peripheral smear was normal initially, but high total leukocytic count with immature blast cells was evident after 1-month of presentation. Chemotherapy brought about the remission of the disease. However, the delay in diagnosis because of negative peripheral blood smear examination and inconclusive fine-needle aspiration biopsy led to the loss of vision in right eye. Diagnosis of such case can be made by a combination of good clinical examination and relevant investigations. This case of maxillo-orbital granulocytic sarcoma is reported because of its rarity and to emphasize the clinical and cyto-histological features and problems concerning differential diagnosis.