Pulmonary Radiological Findings in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Their Relationship to Chemotherapy and Prognosis: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Objective: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults. Pulmonary are among the most common causes of mortality in AML. This single-center retrospective study aimed to evaluate the relationship between radiological findings of pulmonary at presentation and post chemotherapy on prognosis and clinical outcome in a group of AML patients. Material and Methods: The study included 278 AML patients. Clinical and radiological findings, laboratory findings, and microbiological culture results were evaluated. Pulmonary complications at presentation and post chemotherapy were compared. Results: Pulmonary complications were observed in 53 of the patients (19%). Mean age of the patients with and without pulmonary complications was 43.1 ± 15.2 years and 38.8 ± 16.3 years, respectively (P < 0.001). Pulmonary complications were not correlated with gender, AML subtype, or the serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level. The most common cause of pulmonary complications was infection. Pulmonary complications were observed in 29% and 71% of the patients at presentation and post chemotherapy, respectively. Conclusion: Pulmonary complications were observed more frequently at presentation in neutropenic AML patients of advanced age. The mortality rate was higher among the AML patients that had pulmonary complications at presentation.