Unexpected sudden death in a 14-year-old male: a case report and review of literature

Abstract

The rare case described in this report was of a 14-year-old male who was previously healthy and unexpectedly died due to a massive intracerebral hemorrhage caused by acute monoblastic leukemia. The acute monoblastic leukemia was undiagnosed until he was presented in the ER 12 hours prior to death. An autopsy was performed, which showed that the extensive leukostasis and extramedullary leukemic infiltrate involved multiple organs, including lungs, heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, GI tract, thymus, lymph nodes and skin. Diffuse lymphadenopathy and multiple organomegalies were also identified. This case suggests that underlying acute leukemia should be considered as a differential diagnosis with careful physical examination when pediatric patients present with flu-like symptoms. Medical personnel are urged to be alert to fever, sore throat and weakness that may be characteristic of serious systemic diseases.