Priapism as the first presentation of chronic myeloid leukaemia in an otherwise healthy young man

Abstract

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm of older adults which usually presents in its chronic phase with symptoms related to increased synthesis of the myeloid cell line and suppression of erythropoiesis. This case describes a 23-year-old previously healthy man who presented with priapism and had hepatomegaly and massive splenomegaly. His full blood count had a leukocyte count of 507x10³/uL, haemoglobin of 7.1g/dL and platelet count of 854x10³/uL. His blood picture and bone marrow biopsy revealed CML in chronic phase. He underwent immediate needle aspiration of the corpora cavernosa and leukapheresis. Priapism can be a rare presentation of CML and when present is common in younger adults.

Keywords

• Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
• Haematological malignancy
• Priapism
• Malignant priapism
• Leukapheresis