[Relapse of acute promyelocytic leukemia in the central nervous system revealed by isolated dementia]

Abstract

Introduction: Approximately 1.5% of dementia is due to curable aetiology. We report an isolated dementia syndrome due to a meningeal relapse of acute promyelocytic leukaemia with favourable outcome after appropriate treatment.

Case report: A 72-year-old woman, in remission of an acute promyelocytic leukaemia, presented a loss of autonomy for several months due to corticosubcortical dementia. Lumbar puncture showed blast cells indicating meningeal relapse of leukaemia. Intrathecal chemotherapy and arsenic trioxide obtained biological and molecular remission as well as restoration of normal cognitive functions.

Conclusion: In patients with hematologic past history such as acute promyelocytic leukaemia, an isolated cognitive impairment should alert physicians to search for an isolated neuromeningeal relapse.

Keywords: Acute promyelocytic leukaemia; Central nervous system; Dementia; Démence; Leucémie aiguë promyélocytaire; Rechute; Relapse; Système nerveux central.