Publications by authors named "Rahaf Altahan"

Article Synopsis
  • Light transmission aggregometry (LTA) is crucial for diagnosing platelet function disorders and von Willebrand disease, especially in patients with low platelet counts (L-PRP), but its application in these cases has been underexplored.* -
  • A study assessed the effectiveness of a diagnostic LTA strategy for L-PRP samples from 192 patients, revealing that many had significant aggregation abnormalities, particularly in those with very low platelet counts.* -
  • The findings suggest that adapting LTA to consider thrombocytopenia severity can effectively diagnose conditions like von Willebrand disease and other platelet-related disorders.*
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We present an interesting case that showed a non-hematopoietic structure embedded in the bone marrow biopsy. Given the clinical and morphological difficulties, it was challenging to identify this artifact's nature. Publishing this case would familiarize pathologists with this artifact and save additional testing and delays in reporting.

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Key Clinical Message: Complete molecular remission in a "variant APL" patient with short isoform of and mutation was achieved in response to ATRA and ATO plus IDA instead of standard treatment protocol. The use of inhibitor in APL induction management is implicated to prevent differentiation syndrome and coagulopathy experienced in in patients with

Abstract: mutations are the most common activating mutations in gene, occurring in about 12 to 38% of acute promyelocytic leukemia cases, and are mainly associated with high white blood cell counts and poor clinical outcomes. Here, we present a case of APL variant with adverse prognostic features who showed short isoform [bcr3] of and ITD mutation at diagnosis.

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BACKGROUND Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL) is an aggressive and rare entity that comprises about 1-2% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas. This entity carries many challenges that start at the diagnosis, as most patients present with non-specific symptoms affecting different systems. As a result, the optimal approach, reaching the accurate diagnosis, and delivering needed treatment are delayed.

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We present images (Figure 1A-D) of a preterm girl who had severe anemia due to HDFN caused by maternal anti-C and anti-D alloantibodies. These images show erythrophagocytosis, which is a very interesting and rarely encountered feature. We believe that physicians taking care of such patients should be more aware of this characteristic yet under-detected finding.

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Intrachromosomal amplification (iAMP) of chromosome 21 entity is associated with a dismal outcome in B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL). This cytogenetic abnormality is caused by a novel mechanism; breakage-fusion-bridge cycles followed by chromothripsis along with major gross rearrangements in chromosome 21. Charts of B-ALL diagnosed at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center between 2005 and 2015 were reviewed.

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t(11;17) is a rare but recognized finding usually found in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia with variant translocation (APLv). We present a case of Acute Myeloid Leukemia with t(11;17) that has different break points than those occurring in APLv. The diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia, not otherwise specified, acute monoblastic leukemia was reached after a thorough investigation.

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Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare autosomal recessive bleeding disorder. Around 490 mutations in and genes were reported. We aimed to use targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify variants in patients with GT.

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