Case Report
Volume: 2 | Issue: 2 | Published: May 29, 2018 | Pages: 42 - 44 | DOI: 10.24911/ejmcr/2/18
Life-threatening hypercalcemia and primary plasma cell leukemia: a case report of a rare presentation
Authors: Abdelaziz Khalloufi , Ilyas El Kassimi , Abdelghafour Elkoundi , Zineb Taki , Mohamed Hassani , Hicham Eddou
Article Info
Authors
Abdelaziz Khalloufi
Hematology laboratory, Military Hospital Moulay Ismail, Meknes, Morocco
Ilyas El Kassimi
Internal medicine department, Military Hospital Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco
Abdelghafour Elkoundi
Anesthesiology and intensive care department, Military Hospital Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco.
Zineb Taki
Hematology laboratory, Military Hospital Moulay Ismail, Meknes, Morocco.
Mohamed Hassani
Nephrology department, Military Hospital Moulay Ismail, Meknes, Morocco
Hicham Eddou
Clinical Hematology department, Military Hospital Moulay Ismail, Meknes, Morocco.
Publication History
Received: April 19, 2018
Accepted: April 23, 2018
Published: May 29, 2018
Abstract
Background: Hypercalcemia can cause a multitude of nonspecific symptoms, although it can manifest as a life-threatening metabolic emergency. Several underlying causes should be considered in the emergency department (ED). Life-threatening hypercalcemia as the initial manifestation of primary plasma cell leukemia (pPCL) is quite unusual. Case presentation: We present a case of a 63-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with symptomatic hypercalcemia and acute renal failure that was linked to a diagnosis of pPCL. Despite adequate treatment, his course was associated with significant morbidity and was severe enough to threaten his life. Conclusion: Severe hypercalcemia with particular attention to the peripheral blood smear should alert physicians to this highly deadly entity.
Keywords: Primary plasma cell leukemia, hypercalcemia, peripheral blood smear, poor prognosis, emergency, case report
