A Terrible Sore Throat: Pharyngitis in an Emergency Department Patient With a Final Diagnosis of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Acute pharyngitis is a common complaint in emergency department (ED), urgent care, and primary care settings. Most cases are due to bacterial or viral infections easily treated with antibiotics or supportive care. However, serious pathologies in the pharyngitis differential include Ludwig’s angina, peritonsillar abscess, retropharyngeal abscess, and bacterial tracheitis. Rarely, oncologic conditions such as leukemia may initially present as pharyngitis in an acute care setting. We present a case of pharyngitis in a 32-year-old male ED patient with a final diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Knowledge of the appropriate ED evaluation of AML is key for accurate diagnosis and prompt referral to avoid unnecessary patient morbidity and mortality.