title: Bilateral osteonecrosis of the head of the femur complicating acute promyelocytic leukemia: a sequel to treatment of retinoic acid syndrome with dexamethasone.
abstract: The complication of 'retinoic acid syndrome' occurs in 25-30% of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treated with all-transretinoic acid (ATRA). Early dexamethasone therapy has reduced mortality from this complication. No long-term sequel of the syndrome or its treatment with dexamethasone has been described. We report a patient with APL treated with ATRA who developed avascular necrosis of both femoral heads following treatment of retinoic acid syndrome with short-duration, high-dose dexamethasone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Kuwait Cancer Control Centre, Shuwaikh, Kuwait.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: al-Bahar
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pandita
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Hoffbrand
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005271:Femur Head Necrosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007730:Kuwait; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013577:Syndrome; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014212:Tretinoin; D003907:Dexamethasone