Fournier’s gangrene as an initial manifestation of acute promyelocytic leukemia: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Fournier’s gangrene is classically associated with diabetes mellitus and alcohol use disorder. While it is associated with chemotherapy, there are few case reports of Fournier’s gangrene as the initial presentation of acute myelogenous leukemia. A 38-year-old male presented with progressive scrotal swelling and hematochezia. Blood cell count showed depression of all cell lines without myeloblasts. He received broad-spectrum antibiotics and underwent surgical debridement once. Urgent bone marrow biopsy confirmed acute promyelocytic leukemia. The patient was started on chemotherapy. He was discharged without relapse of the infection. This is the fourth case of acute myelogenous leukemia presenting as Fournier’s gangrene in the literature and the only case to have survived. This brings forth a possible diagnostic consideration in patients without obvious predisposing risk factors for Fournier’s gangrene, particularly in those with pancytopenia. Coordination with surgical services as well as hematology/oncology specialists is imperative to survival of these dual diagnosis patients.