Efficacy and safety of busulfan-based conditioning regimens for multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma is a malignancy of B cells characterized by accumulation of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow. In the past 20 years, the use of high-dose therapies and novel agents has resulted in significant and meaningful improvements in survival. Autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT) following a high-dose melphalan-conditioning regimen represents the standard of care for younger patients as well as older patients with a good performance status.

How I manage priapism due to sickle cell disease.

Priapism due to sickle cell disease is a common but less well characterized complication of the disorder. It represents a "medical emergency" with the key determinant of outcome being the duration of penile ischaemia and time to detumescence of <4 h associated with a successful treatment outcome. Management can be outpatient-based and consists of pre-emptive strategies for early stuttering attacks based on prior health education of the association between the 2 disorders, non pharmacological management, outpatient penile aspiration and irrigation with or without instillation of alpha and beta adrenergic agonists for acute episodes and secondary prophylaxis to prevent the high rates of recurrences.

A prospective diary study of stuttering priapism in adolescents and young men with sickle cell anemia: report of an international randomized control trial--the priapism in sickle cell study.

Priapism is defined as a prolonged, persistent, and purposeless penile erection. It is a common (35%) but frequently understated complication in young men and adults with sickle cell disease. We had previously demonstrated an association between stuttering attacks (<4 hours) and an acute catastrophic event with its consequent problems of erectile dysfunction and impotence.

Unusual manifestations of primary cytomegalovirus infection in patients without HIV infection and without organ transplants.

Primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection with marked constitutional symptoms is rare in immunocompetent individuals and in those with iatrogenic immunosuppression, except transplant recipients. Four patients admitted to hospital with clinical illnesses associated with primary CMV infection were identified over a 12-month period. Their medical records were reviewed with regard to clinical and laboratory data, and outcome.