Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia relapse with atypical localised presentation mimicking ankle trauma in a 28-year-old man

Abstract

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a common paediatric cancer with a tendency to relapse, usually within 3 years of remission. Most patients present with hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, pallor, fever and bruising. Localised muskuloskeletal presentation is extremely rare. Here, we present a case of leukaemia relapse in the bone marrow of a 28-year-old man 9 years after achieving remission, presenting only with ankle pain and normal routine labs besides mild hypercalcemia, and no signs of disease in common bone marrow biopsy sites. This highly localised presentation is unusual and would hopefully inform clinicians to have a high index of suspicion for relapse in an adult patient who has had childhood ALL.