Pseudo-Guillain–Barré syndrome masking acute myeloid leukemia relapse: Brief report and review

Abstract

Central nervous system (CNS) relapse is not a rare presentation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) as its incidence ranges between 2% and 9%. It manifests with meningeal leukemia, cranial nerve palsies or cerebral mesenchymal myeloid sarcoma. We herein report the case of a 69 year-old female that presented a pseudo-Guillain–Barré syndrome masking an AML CNS relapse. Her symptoms completely resolved upon administration of a tailored treatment. This case suggests that puzzling neurological manifestations in patients with a history of AML should be considered as a CNS recurrence and investigated accordingly even in the context of normal imaging findings.

Keywords

• Acute myeloid leukemia
• Isolated central nervous system recurrence
• Cerebrospinal fluid