Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis and Relapsing Polychondritis with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Patient: Female, 16-year-old

Final Diagnosis: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis • relapsing polychondritis

Symptoms: Fever • joint pain • leukopenia

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: —

Specialty: Cardiology • Critical Care Medicine • Hematology • General and Internal Medicine • Pediatrics and Neonatology • Rheumatology

Objective:

Rare disease

Background:

This case report describes rare disease entities with possible associations that include relapsing polychondritis, a rare disease with systemic manifestations characterized by bouts of inflammation in hyaline cartilage in multiple body sites, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), another potentially life-threatening condition that occurs due to erratic activation of the immune system accompanied by pancytopenia. Both diseases constitute a real challenge to diagnose and treat. These entities, their associations, and treatment protocols and prognosis for them are highlighted.

Case Report:

A 16-year-old female presented with features and complications of both relapsing polychondritis (RP) and HLH including costochondritis, fever, splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. After admission to the intensive care unit, symptomatic management included paracetamol, intravenous fluids, prednisolone 60 mg orally, intravenous immune globlulin, and warfarin. Unfortunately, the patient developed acute myelogenous leukemia (FAB AML M5b) after a period of remission and died due to sepsis and multiorgan failure.

Conclusions:

HLH and RP are two rare diseases that can present together. Whether this malignant process (AML) is a cause or a result of these diseases is unknown. In the case presented here, the patient developed features of AML after a period of remission from RP and HLH. This case report may provide perspective on diagnosis and treatment for clinicians faced with similar patients.

Background

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare autoimmune disease that has systemic manifestations. It is characterized by recurrent bouts of inflammation that involves cartilage throughout the body, but mainly in the nose, ear, respiratory tract, and cardiovascular system [1]. Incidence of RP is estimated to be 3.5 cases per million/year, with a nearly equal frequency in males and females [1]. In a population-based cohort study in the UK, the mean ages at diagnosis were 55 and 51 years in males and females, respectively; median time from symptoms appearance to diagnosis was about 1.9 years [2].

The exact pathogenesis of RP is not yet fully understood, however, it is believed that it represents an autoimmune response resulting in cartilage matrix destruction by proteolytic enzymes due to tissue infiltration by macrophages, neutrophils, CD4-positive T lymphocytes, and autoantibodies directed against type II collagen in hyaline cartilages [3].

RP can have various and unpredictable clinical presentations. Arthritis seems to be the most consistent and common manifestation. However, more than half of patients show no evidence of chondritis, and a concomitant autoimmune disease may be present in one-third of patients [4].

Various triggers may lead to RP, such as trauma (e.g. ear piercing), infections such as Mycobacteriumtuberculosis, and pregnancy [3]. Diagnosis of RP relies on clinical findings and imaging studies as well as biopsies of the affected cartilage [5].

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is another rare, life-threatening clinical syndrome caused by an inflammatory signal error, usually originating from abnormalities in natural killer (NK) and/or cytotoxic T cells, which lead to uncontrolled and ineffective immune system response, eventually culminating in serious elevations in many inflammatory cytokines if left untreated [6,7]. HLH is associated with several conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, infections, certain neoplasms, medications, and well-recognized hereditary diseases [8]. The syndrome also has many clinical features, which include progressive organ enlargement, worsening cytopenias, ferritin level elevations out of proportion to the degree of the inflammation, worsening liver function tests, and clotting disorders [8]. In HLH, defective killing of pathogens and cancer cells not only renders immune cells unable to kill their target, but also leads to a dangerous state of systemic hypercytokinemia, which is well-demonstrated in genetic forms of this disease [6].

HLH can be classified into two major groups: familial (primary), and acquired (secondary) [6]. Secondary HLH initially was described as related to viral infections following organ transplantations; virus-associated HLH also has been reported [9]. Other important secondary causes of HLH include malignancies such as leukemia. O’Brien and colleagues described three cases of HLH secondary to B-ALL [10].

The case reported here illustrates a possible association between RP and HLH in a 16-year-old female patient who presented with features of both disease entities and had developed acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) during the course of her illness. This unusual presentation and the approach used for treatment are described.

Case Report

A 16-year-old female presented to the Internal Medicine and Rheumatology Department at Palestine Medical Complex with a complaint of a 2-week history of fever (39°C, 102.2°F).

The patient was in her usual state of health until 14 days prior her admission, when she started to experience fever. She also complained of generalized weakness, joint pain, mainly in her elbows and back, but no swelling or stiffness. The patient denied having skin rash, abdominal pain, headaches, visual disturbances, changes in urinary or bowel habits, or change in weight. She also denied ill contacts.

On physical examination, the patient looked ill and fatigued. Her ears, except the earlobes, were red and swollen, suggesting auricular perichondritis (Figure 1A, 1B). Musculoskeletal examination revealed joint line tenderness involving both elbows, the back, and multiple costochondral joints. There were no limitations of active or passive range of motion nor any joint swelling or redness. Cardiovascular and respiratory exam were within normal limits with normal chest shape and contour and no murmurs, added sounds, wheeze or crackles. Other than splenomegaly, there was no tenderness, rigidity, or palpable masses on abdominal examination.

Figure 1.

(A) Auricular perichondritis involving the cartilaginous portion of the ear (sparing the lobule), before treatment (blue arrow). (B) Improvement in outer ear cartilage during remission (blue arrow).

The patient’s vital signs on admission were as follows: temperature, 39°C; pulse rate, 102 beats per minute (BPM); blood pressure, 102/80 mmHg; respiratory rate, 18 respirations per minute; and oxygen saturation, 98%. Results of blood testing were as follows: hemoglobin (HGB), 11.9 g/dL; mean corpuscular volume, 79.2 mm³; platelets, 308,000/mm³; white blood cell count, 14,600/mm³; C-reactive protein (CRP), 369 mg/L; erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), 110 mm/hr; and lactate dehydrogenase, 561 U/L (Table 1).

Table 1.

Lab values through the patient’s Illness.

Labs/weeks	First 2 Weeks	4 Weeks	6 Weeks	8 Weeks	Remission	Outcome
CBC HBG (g/dL)	11.9	7.5	6.5	7.2	10.4	60% blast cells
CBC, WBC (no/mm3)	14,600	51,000	3,100	10,700	9200
CBC, platelets (no/mm3)	308,000	550,000	75,000	270,000	290,000
Ferritin (ng/mL)	Not done	3200	694	1939	568
RF, ANA	Negative	Negative	Negative	Negative	Negative
Fibrinogen (mg/dL)	N/A	143	279	200	N/A
Triglycerides (mg/dL)	N/A	N/A	269	N/A	N/A
CRP (mg/dL)	369	240	229	170	50
ESR (mm/hr)	110	145	150	N/A	55

The patient was treated as a suspected case of sepsis upon admission, for which she received broad spectrum antibiotics, in addition to supportive treatment consisting of intravenous fluids and paracetamol.

Further evaluation during the patient’s hospitalization included testing for Brucella antibodies (B. abortus, B. melitensis), cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus, rheumatoid factor, antinu-clear antibodies (ANA) and hepatitis A immunoglobulin antibodies, which were all negative. An initial bone marrow aspirate showed increased numbers of cytologically normal monocytes. Blasts were not increased. Lymphocytes and plasma cells were both quantitatively and morphologically normal. Testing of the bone marrow sample for Leishmania was negative.

During hospitalization, the patient underwent various imaging studies. Abdominal ultrasound revealed an enlarged spleen of 15 cm (in the greatest dimension) and a normal-size liver with no abnormalities. Whole-body computed tomography scan showed an enlarged spleen and mesenteric lymph node enlargement (Figure 2A, 2B). Echocardiography showed significant apical hypokinesia, with moderate pulmonary hypertension of 50 mmHg. Echocardiography also showed moderate tricuspid regurgitation with a mobile echo-dense structure on the pulmonic valve, mostly correlating with a vegetation (Figure 3).

Figure 2.

(A) Axial abdominal CT scan showing enlarged spleen (blue arrow) and hepatomegaly (yellow arrow). Spleen measuring 16 cm in long axis with normal echo texture. (B) Coronal abdominal CT preview, showing hepatomegaly (yellow arrow) and splenomegaly (blue arrow).

Figure 3.

Echocardiography, showing apical ballooning of the left ventricle with akinesia, as well as thickened tricuspid leaflets with severe tricuspid regurgitation (blue cross).

Blood film showed microcytic hypochromic red blood cells with Rouleax formation, leukocytosis with segmented neutrophils and occasional monoblasts, for which the patient was transferred to a hematology/oncology facility to rule out acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). During her stay in the oncology center, she continued to have fever along with tachycardia of 110 bpm and hypotension of 90/58 mmHg. Lab tests were repeated and showed leukocytosis of 51,000/mm³ with absolute neutrophil count of 36,000/mm³. HBG dropped to 7.5 g/dL. CRP and ESR were 240 mg/L and 145 mm/hr, respectively. The patient was started on broad spectrum antibiotics again. Results of subsequent urine and blood cultures were negative. The patient deteriorated and was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) for further evaluation and management.

During the patient’s stay in the ICU, her laboratory test results were as follows: ferritin, 3200 ng/mL, fibrinogen, 1.43 mg/dL, total serum bilirubin, 2.7 mg/dL; direct serum bilirubin, 1.2 mg/dL; and LDH, 583 U/L. Testing for cytoplasmic anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (C-ANCA), perinuclear ANCA, antinuclear antibodies,RF, Anti-Jo, anti-Sjögren’s-syndrome-related antigen A and B antibodies, anti-double-stranded DNA, anti-smith, and anti-scl-70 antibodies was negative (Table 1).

In the ICU, the patient developed palpable purpuric and bullous skin lesions with irregular borders on the extensor aspect of the right elbow. (Figure 4). Rheumatology team opinion was sought, a skin biopsy of the lesion was done, and showed epidermal edema with diffuse interstitial neutrophilic infiltration in the papillary dermis and the reticular dermis, without evidence of vasculitis.

Figure 4.

Skin lesions with irregular borders and bullae found on the extensor surface of the patient’s right elbow (blue arrow).

A final diagnosis of RP with HLH was made, and the patient was treated as such. Acute hospital ICU management consisted of treatment of symptoms with paracetamol, IV fluids, and 2 units of packed RBCs. The patient also received prednisolone 60 mg orally, IVIG, and hydroxyurea. The latter drug was added because the patient developed marked leukocytosis and it was discontinued immediately after resolution. Based on evaluation by the cardiology team, the patient also received warfarin 5 mg per day and furosemide 40 mg per day due to heart failure and apical ballooning. After her condition had stabilized, the patient was maintained on cyclosporine 100 mg twice daily and prednisone 60 mg. She went into remission but unfortunately relapsed 4 weeks later. Another bone marrow examination was performed and a diagnosis of AML was established, based on the predominance of mono-blasts and promonocytes, which accounted for 60% of all cells (Table 1). The test also showed decreased granulocytes with dysplastic and hypogranular cytoplasm; Pelger-Huet cells; and decreased erythrocytes and megakaryocytes with M: E ratio of 5: 1. Based on results of flow cytometry, the patient’s disease was designated FAB AML M5b, AML with myelodysplasia-related changes. It is noteworthy that, before this diagnosis, serial bone marrow biopsies failed to show evidence of significant blastic changes (>20% blasts). The patient was treated with cytarabine 100 mg/m² (160 mg) every 12 hours, over 30 minutes and received a total of 12 doses over 6 days). She also received allopurinol. Because of heart failure, the patient was ineligible for doxuribicin, and therefore, the treatment protocol for AML could not be completed, she died 3 weeks later due to Enterococcus fecium sepsis and multiorgan failure.

Discussion

This case report illustrates a constellation of rare diseases in a 16-year-old female patient. According to reports from case studies and one case series, the mean age of onset of RP in children is 15.1 years [11], and ranges from 1.7 months to 17 years [12]. The patient described here presented with common manifestations of RP: arthritis and auricular perichondritis [4]. In the pediatric population, the symptoms and tissue involvement are comparable to those reported in adults, but pediatric patients tend to have more severe manifestations. However, the reported cases in the pediatric population constitute less than 5% of those reported in all age groups [11,12].

The etiology of RP is not well-known [13]; however, many factors can trigger RP, including traumatic piercing of cartilage (e.g. ears, nose), infections (e.g. M. tuberculosis), and pregnancy [3]. The patient had none of the aforementioned factors.

RP is often difficult to diagnose because of the lack of confirmative diagnostic tests and its relapsing nature and heterogeneous symptoms. In fact, diagnosis mainly relies on the clinical picture, imaging studies, and biopsy of the affected tissues [5].

Interestingly, the case reported here is the second to show a possible association between RP and HLH [14]. HLH is a disorder of immune dysfunction resulting in uncontrolled activation of macrophages and NK cells [14]. Like RP, the clinical manifestations and laboratory test results for HLH are nonspecific. In fact, HLH may also share clinical and laboratory manifestations of its common triggers, such as sepsis and lymphoma [15]. Therefore, Hunter et ale developed criteria for diagnosis of HLH. At least five of the following should be present: fever; cytopenias involving at least two lines; increased triglycerides and/or decreased fibrinogen; splenomegaly; ferritin elevation to levels more than 500 ng/mL; absence or decreased activity of NK cells; bone marrow, liver or lymph node samples showing hemophagocytosis; and elevations of soluble interleukin (IL)-2 receptor-α levels >2400 U/mL (Table 2) [16]. The patient in this case presented with fever, splenomegaly, leukocytopenia and erythrocytopenia, hypertriglyceridemia and high levels of ferritin, and thus fulfilled Hunter’s criteria for HLH.

Despite its name, microscopic visualization of hemophagocytosis is simply one of the possible diagnostic criteria for HLH. It does not necessarily need to be present to establish the diagnosis. In fact, hemophagocytosis is often cyclical, thus a given biopsy specimen may yield negative results at first examination [17].

In this case, unfortunately, sIL-2R levels and NK activity were not measured because of issues with the patient’s insurance. Moreover, these tests are not available in everyday practice [15].

All of the findings of HLH are related to hypercytokinemia and infiltration of organs with activated lymphocytes and histiocytes [7], Fever is related to high IL-1 and IL-6 levels, whereas pancytopenia is related to high levels of TNF-α and interferon-gamma, in addition to hemophagocytosis itself [18].

During the course of her illness, the patient here unfortunately developed AML. This actually makes it the first reported case with a combination of RP, HLH, and AML. In the literature, it has been reported that HLH can be secondary to a malignancy. O’Brien and colleagues described three cases of HLH secondary to B-acute lymphoblastic leukeia (ALL) [10], while another article reported a child with precursor B- ALL who was diagnosed with HLH after experiencing splenomegaly and refractive thrombocytopenia during induction chemotherapy [19]. In addition, another case report of a patient with neurofibromatosis also shed light on a possible association between Jjvenile myelomonocytic leukemia and HLH as it presented with features of the latter disease [20].

An association between RP and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) has been reported, as MDS has been documented in one-third of patients with RP [21]. Erden and colleagues reported a case of RP in which the patient developed MDS 14 years after the initial diagnosis of RP [22]. According to Mekinian et al., the reported time interval from development of RP to MDS was 8.4 months [23]. In the case presented here, the patient developed AML about 4 months after the initial diagnosis of RP.

Treatment of RP depends on the acuteness and severity of the disease manifestations. Patients with mild acute disease are usually treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and prednisone, whereas those with more severe manifestations, such as airway compromise, may require higher doses of prednisone or even IV pulse methyl-prednisone [1]. Many other newer treatments also have been deployed for RP, such as immunosuppressants, biologic agents, antitumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) agents, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (Anakinra) [5]. Erden and colleagues reported a remission of RP after successful treatment of MDS with the hypomethylating agent azacytidine [22].

As for RP treatment in the pediatric group in particular, in a case series reported by Belot, patients mainly received corticosteroids, NSAIDs, and immunosuppressants [12]. In another case reported by Buonuomo, Anakinra was used and showed good results in slowing progression of the disease [24].

In another case report, RP has been described as a presenting feature of AML, with resolution of features of RP after induction chemotherapy with idarubicin and cytarabine [25]. The patient in the case described here received cytarabine for AML, but improvement in RP was difficult to assess as she was transferred to another hospital, and improvement in RP after chemotherapy for AML was not noted.

The goal of HLH treatment is to suppress life-threatening inflammation. In 1994, The Histiocyte Society organized the first treatment protocol for HLH (HLH-94), which dramatically increased the survival rate to 54%t [26]. Under the HLH-94 Protocol, treatment consists of Induction therapy using weekly etoposide and hydrocortisone followed by hematopoieitic stem cell transplantation if the patient is not improving. Improving patients are weaned off therapy. Patients with central nervous system disease are given intrathecal methotrexate and hydrocortisone [26].

A newer protocol was developed in 2004. The major modification consisted of adding cyclosporine to the induction phase of treatment [27]. That protocol was followed in the case presented here and the patient received cyclosporine and prednisone.

Regarding prognosis, with RP, it usually is good prognosis, but it can be life-threatening in cases with tracheal and cardiac involvement [5]. As for HLH, it has been stated that in pediatric patients, it can be fatal, as up to 95% of affected children with the disease who are not treated succumb [28].

Conclusions

In summary, this case report presents a rare constellation of diseases: RP, HLH, and AML. They occurred in a pediatric patient who initially developed features of both RP and HLH, followed by a period of remission after treatment with cyclosporine, IVIG, and prednisone, and eventually developed AML M5b a few weeks later. We believe that the challenging part of the case report lies in the rarity of the diseases it encompasses, and the difficulty in assessing associations between them. We hope this case report will be of benefit to clinicians, in terms of guiding diagnosis and treatment in future similar patients.