Migraine with aura as the presentation of leukemia.

We present the case of a man with new onset of migraine with aura as the presenting sign of acute promyelocytic leukemia and disseminated intravascular coagulation. This previously unreported association may support theories of platelet serotonin involvement in the pathogenesis of migraine. It would be valuable in the future to evaluate other patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation or acute promyelocytic leukemia for the presence of migrainous auras or headaches, symptoms which may be underreported by patients, particularly in the setting of severe illness.