Splenic irradiation as palliative treatment for symptomatic splenomegaly due to secondary myelofibrosis: a multi-institutional experience.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of splenic irradiation as a palliative treatment for symptomatic splenomegaly due to secondary myelofibrosis.

Methods: Seventeen patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and 3 with idiopathic polycythaemia presented with splenomegaly, splenic pain and anemia. Due to symptomatic splenomegaly, despite first-line treatment, the patients underwent splenic irradiation.

Haematoma caused by bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy.

We report a case of a bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy (BMATB) associated haematoma in an 85-years old male without any predisposing risk factors. Six days after BMATB, he suffered from a massive thigh and buttock haematoma and a fall in haematocrit. It is important to know that BMATB can have complications aiding early recognition and therapy.

Pure red cell aplasia and lymphoproliferative disorders: an infrequent association.

Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a rare bone marrow failure syndrome defined by a progressive normocytic anaemia and reticulocytopenia without leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. Secondary PRCA can be associated with various haematological disorders, such as chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The aim of the present review is to investigate the infrequent association between PRCA and lymphoproliferative disorders.

High prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Greek patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

Background/aims/methods: To determine the frequency of Helicobacter pylori infection (Hp-I) in 73 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and 40 controls, serologic analyses of Hp and ¹³C-urease breath tests (INFAI) were performed. Gastric mucosal biopsy specimens were obtained to determine the presence of Hp-I using a rapid urease test, i.e.

Parotid gland oncocytoma: a case report.

Oncocytomas are a rare group of neoplasms of the parotid gland which have been correlated to various viral infections. We report the first case of a patient with parotid oncocytoma and a previous history of chronic HBV infection.

Detection of CD55- and CD59-deficient granulocytic populations in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is characterized by absence of CD55 and CD59 from the surface of affected cells. PNH has been associated with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence of the PNH clone in MDS patients by detecting CD55 and CD59 deficiency.

Skin relapse of acute myeloid leukemia associated with trisomy 8.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a morphologically diverse group of hematopoietic malignancies characterized by proliferation of immature cells that arise in the myeloid progenitor cells of the bone marrow. It shows cutaneous lesions relatively rarely. The most common cutaneous manifestation is the appearance of one or several tumors.

Peripheral blood haematopoietic progenitor cells in patients with beta thalassaemia major receiving desferrioxamine or deferiprone as chelation therapy.

Objectives: The main adverse effect of deferiprone is the development of neutropenia, which occurs via an unknown mechanism. We aimed to gain insight into the pathogenesis of deferiprone-induced neutropenia by assessing the peripheral blood haematopoietic progenitor cells.

Methods: Sixteen patients with beta thalassaemia were studied; nine (Group A) were receiving desferrioxamine and seven (Group B) deferiprone.