Megakaryocytic blast crisis as first presentation of chronic myeloid leukemia

Abstract

We describe an extremely rare case of megakaryocytic blast crisis as first presentation of chronic myeloid leukemia. The patient had a very high platelet count and developed an ischemic stroke with seizures. She was treated with hydroxyurea, platelet apheresis, ARA-C, and idarubicin in order to obtain a prompt reduction of thrombocytosis and then with imatinib 600 mg/die PO. The therapy induced a complete hematological remission with a resolution of neurological signs within 4 weeks. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.