Relapse of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia presenting as right aural polyp with facial and mandibular nerves palsy

Med J Malaysia. 2017 Oct;72(5):318-320.

Abstract

A patient presenting with an ear polyp is a common finding in otorhinolaryngology practice. The common causes include chronic otitis media and cholesteatoma. We report an adult female patient with a history of acute leukaemia presenting with chronic otitis media symptoms and right ear polyp. She was subsequently diagnosed as relapse of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia based on histopathological examination. The presentation may be similar to an inflammatory pathology of the middle ear, making it misleading.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • B-Lymphocytes*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Ear Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Ear, Middle / physiopathology
  • Facial Paralysis / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mandible / physiopathology*
  • Mandibular Nerve / physiopathology*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnosis*
  • Otitis Media / physiopathology
  • Polyps* / surgery
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / diagnosis*
  • Recurrence