Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) also known as chronic granulocytic leukemia, is
characterized by the increased and unregulated growth of predominantly myeloid cells
in the bone marrow and the accumulation of these cells in the blood. The standard
treatment for chronic phase (CP) CML is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor such as imatinib,
nilotinib, or dasatinib.[1]
The documented adverse effects of imatinib mesylate are nausea, vomiting, edema, tumor
necrosis, muscle cramps, hematologic side effects, cardiovascular side effects, hepatic
side effects, nephrotoxicity, and dermatologic side effects such as skin rash, pruritus,
and petechiae. This case study is a rare adverse effect seen with imatinib mesylate,
which has not been reported so far.
A 45-year-old postmenopausal female came to the outpatient department with the complaints
of upper abdominal pain and weight loss of 2 months duration. On examination, she
had splenomegaly (4 cm size from the costal margin). Complete blood examination showed
increased leukocyte count including mature myeloid cells and myeloid precursors [Figure 1]. fluorescent in situ hybridization revealed the presence of philadelphia chromosome [t(9;22)]. She was
diagnosed with a case of CML-CP and was started on imatinib mesylate 400 mg once daily
orally.
Figure 1: Peripheral blood smear of the patient showing myeloid precursor cells
After 5 months of treatment with imatinib mesylate, the patient symptomatically improved.
Blood examination showed white blood cell count <10,000 cells/mm 3 and a differential
count showed no blast cells. Cytogenetics revealed Ph+0. Hence, the patient was deemed
as complete clinical and pathological response. Nevertheless, the patient developed
painful swelling of the digits of the upper limb which was diagnosed with dactylitis
[Figure 2]. The patient was treated with oral and topical corticosteroids, and imatinib mesylate
was withheld until the reaction subsided.
Figure 2: Inflammation of the digits (dactylitis) involving the patient’s hands
Dactylitis has not been reported as an adverse effect of imatinib mesylate in the
literature. This is one of the rarest adverse effects of imatinib mesylate. Based
on Naranjo causality assessment scale, the adverse drug reaction (ADR) is categorized
as possible.[2] The occurrence of ADRs causing loss of working days to the patient, which in turn
is a loss to the community and the nation, is preventable. This case report also emphasizes
that physicians should be aware of the occurrence of dactylitis with imatinib mesylate
therapy. Since rational prescribing is a part of doctor ethics, awareness of such
rare ADRs will enable the physicians to safely administer drugs to the patient community.
In addition, the patients should be informed of such rare ADRs, to prevent further
events. Reporting of ADRs should be encouraged among health professionals.
Declaration of patient consent
The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms.
In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their
images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients
understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will
be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
