Differentiation of multiple myeloma and metastases: Use of axial diffusion-weighted MR imaging in addition to standard MR imaging at 3T.

Background: Metastasis and multiple myeloma are common malignant bone marrow lesions which may be difficult to distinguish because of similar imaging findings. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of adding diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to standard MR imaging to differentiate multiple myeloma from metastasis.

Methods: 25 patients with metastasis and 18 patients with multiple myeloma underwent 3T MR imaging with DWI (b = 0, 800 s/mm2) were enrolled.

[Serum free light chains for diagnosis and follow-up of multiple myeloma].

Background: Free light chain (FLC) is widely used to evaluate B-cell proliferative diseases. Herein, we estimated the clinical usefulness of serum FLC in multiple myeloma (MM).

Methods: Fifty-one patients were enrolled.

Case report: acute promyelocytic leukemia with +der(17)t(15;17) detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

We describe an unusual case of acute promyelocytic leukemia with +der(17)t(15;17) as the additional cytogenetic abnormality and with t(15;17) defined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using a PML/RARA dual color, dual fusion translocation probe. By performing a step-by-step, complementary approach to evaluate unusual chromosomal abnormalities, we detected RARA/PML fusion on a marker chromosome similar to chromosome 17.

Evaluation of early post-transplant leukocyte recovery using the undiluted erythrocyte lysing technique.

The undiluted erythrocyte lysing technique was evaluated to see if it provides more accurate total leukocyte counts and differential leukocyte counts of severely leukopenic blood samples, in order to detect the onset of hematopoietic recovery after stem cell transplantation. Leukocyte counts using the conventional automated cell counting technique were found to be inaccurate, especially in blood samples with total leukocyte counts < 500/microl. In cases where the difference between results by the two methods was >100/microl, a positive correlation was found between the difference value and the blood reticulocyte count (r = 0.