CSF interleukin 6 is a useful marker to distinguish pseudotumoral CNS inflammatory diseases from primary CNS lymphoma.

Background: Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a pleomorphic cytokine that can be found in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a wide spectrum of inflammatory pathologies of the central nervous system (CNS).

Objective: Our aim was to characterize the diagnostic significance of CSF IL-6 among various CNS inflammatory diseases with pseudotumoral lesions (CNSID) and primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the CSF IL-6 concentrations in 43 consecutive patients with suspected PCNSL.

[Watch out for a second train].

We report the case of a man with a primary diagnosis of Waldenström macroglobulinemia. He secondarily presented a diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) located in the nasal fossae, which relapsed later in the eye. The diagnosis of these two malignancies is based on a multidisciplinary biological approach using new sensitive and specific techniques.

Management and outcome of primary CNS lymphoma in the modern era: An LOC network study.

Objective: Real-life studies on patients with primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) are scarce. Our objective was to analyze, in a nationwide population-based study, the current medical practice in the management of PCNSL.

Methods: The French oculo-cerebral lymphoma network (LOC) database prospectively records all newly diagnosed PCNSL cases from 32 French centers.

Standardization of Flow Cytometric Immunophenotyping for Hematological Malignancies: The FranceFlow Group Experience.

Flow cytometry is broadly used for the identification, characterization, and monitoring of hematological malignancies. However, the use of clinical flow cytometry is restricted by its lack of reproducibility across multiple centers. Since 2006, the EuroFlow consortium has been developing a standardized procedure detailing the whole process from instrument settings to data analysis.

Optimization of CSF biological investigations for CNS lymphoma diagnosis.

Diagnosis of lymphoma leptomeningeal dissemination is challenging and relies on a wide array of methods. So far, no consensus biological guidelines are available. This increases the chance of intra- and interpractice variations, despite the shared concern to perform the minimum amount of tests while preserving clinically relevant results.

The cerebrospinal fluid CD4/CD8 ratio and interleukin-6 and -10 levels in neurosarcoidosis: a multicenter, pragmatic, comparative study.

Background And Purpose: Neurosarcoidosis is a rare inflammatory disorder of unknown cause. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of T/B lymphocyte population counts and the concentrations of the cytokines interleukin (IL) 6 and IL-10 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of neurosarcoidosis patients.

Methods: A retrospective study CSF biomarkers was conducted in patients with neurosarcoidosis who underwent CSF analysis between 2012 and 2017 as well as various control populations.

Cerebrospinal fluid interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-10:IL-6 ratio as biomarkers for small B-cell lymphoproliferations with leptomeningeal dissemination.

We here report for the first time that low levels of interleukin (IL)-10 do not exclude lymphomatous meningitis (LM) in B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (CLPD). Unexpectedly, IL-10 levels and IL-10:IL-6 ratio in CLPD differed from the levels observed in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We report the usefulness of adding the IL-10:IL-6 ratio in order to potentially reveal more aggressive lymphomas: either a transformation or an association with another "hidden" lymphoma such as primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL).

Platelet-mapping assay for monitoring antiplatelet therapy during mechanical circulatory support in children: A retrospective observational study.

Introduction: The complex hemostatic changes associated with Berlin Heart (BH) implantation in children require a challenging antithrombotic treatment. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the thromboelastography (TEG)-platelet mapping (PM) assay to monitor antiplatelet therapy in children implanted with a BH.

Methods: TEG-PM was performed in 4 BH-implanted patients receiving dipyridamole and aspirin, and 9 healthy volunteers.

An unusual case of acute leukemia.

We report the case of a 31 year-old man diagnosed with an atypical acute leukemia difficult to characterize cytologically. The immunophenotyping identified a blastic population co-expressing myeloid, lymphoid B and lymphoid T markers suggesting the diagnosis of either a mixed phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL) or an early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ETP-ALL). Because of the poor prognosis linked to these leukemias, the patient benefited from chemotherapy targeting both myeloid and lymphoid components, followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Rituximab, methotrexate, procarbazine, vincristine and intensified cytarabine consolidation for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) in the elderly: a LOC network study.

Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) is chemosensitive to high-dose methotrexate-based chemotherapy. However, responses in the elderly are short-lasting and outcome is poor. Given that radiotherapy and intensive chemotherapy expose elderly to severe toxicities, alternative consolidation approaches need to be evaluated.

Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy Restores Immune Tolerance to Patients With Hepatitis C Virus-Induced Cryoglobulinemia Vasculitis.

Background & Aims: Interferon-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies are effective in patients with hepatitis C virus-induced cryoglobulinemia vasculitis (HCV-CV). We analyzed blood samples from patients with HCV-CV before and after DAA therapy to determine mechanisms of these drugs and their effects on cellular immunity.

Methods: We performed a prospective study of 27 consecutive patients with HCV-CV (median age, 59 y) treated with DAA therapy (21 patients received sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for 24 weeks, 4 patients received sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir for 12 weeks, and 2 patients received sofosbuvir plus simeprevir for 12 weeks) in Paris, France.

How to facilitate early diagnosis of CNS involvement in malignant lymphoma.

Making the diagnosis of secondary CNS involvement in lymphoma can be difficult due to unspecific signs and symptoms, limited accessibility of brain/myelon parenchyma and low sensitivity and/or specifity of imaging and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination currently available. Areas covered: MRI of the total neuroaxis followed by CSF cytomorphology and flow cytometry are methods of choice when CNS lymphoma (CNSL) is suspected. To reduce the numerous pitfalls of these examinations several aspects should be considered.

Guideline for the diagnosis, treatment and response criteria for Bing-Neel syndrome.

Bing Neel syndrome is a rare disease manifestation of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia that results from infiltration of the central nervous system by malignant lymphoplasmacytic cells. In this guideline we describe the clinical symptoms, as well as the appropriate laboratory and radiological studies, that can aid in the diagnosis. The presentation of Bing Neel syndrome may be very diverse, and includes headaches, cognitive deficits, paresis, and psychiatric symptoms.

The CSF IL-10 concentration is an effective diagnostic marker in immunocompetent primary CNS lymphoma and a potential prognostic biomarker in treatment-responsive patients.

Introduction: We aimed to confirm the diagnostic value and to evaluate the pre- and post-therapeutic prognostic value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-6 in patients with diffuse large B-cell primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL).

Patients And Methods: IL-10 and IL-6 concentrations were measured in 79 patients with PCNSL at diagnosis and in 40 control individuals. Fifty-four PCNSL patients underwent repeat assessments starting at diagnosis.

Sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for hepatitis C virus-associated cryoglobulinaemia vasculitis: VASCUVALDIC study.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the aetiological agent for most cases of cryoglobulinaemia vasculitis. Interferon-containing regimens are associated with important side effects and may exacerbate the vasculitis.

Objective: To evaluate safety and efficacy of an oral interferon-free regimen, sofosbuvir plus ribavirin, in HCV-cryoglobulinaemia vasculitis.

Percutaneous removal of a Bard Simon nitinol permanent inferior vena cava filter.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are used to treat thromboembolic disease when there is a contraindication to anticoagulation or failure of therapeutic anticoagulation therapy. Although there are retrievable IVC filters available, permanent IVC filters remain the most commonly placed IVC filters worldwide. Permanent IVC filters have been associated with long-term complications such as IVC thrombosis and obstruction, migration, and erosion into surrounding structures.

Fechtner syndrome: physiologic analysis of macrothrombocytopenia.

Fechtner syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder consisting of macrothrombocytopenia and leukocyte inclusions, associated with Alport's syndrome (hereditary nephropathy, sensorineural hearing loss, and ocular anomalies). We describe a 71-year-old Caucasian male with a history of hearing loss and asymptomatic macrothrombocytopenia incidentally noted in 1985. Several challenges to hemostasis were uneventful, including total hip arthroplasty.