[Acute arterial thrombosis in hemophilia with inhibitory antibodies]

The authors demonstrate an importance of personalized approach to perioperative hemostatic therapy in a 48-year-old patient with hemophilia A and inhibitory antibodies. Laparoscopic hernia repair and extraction of 15 decayed teeth were performed. Hemostatic therapy included AICC and rFVIIa. Postoperative period was complicated by acute thrombosis of splenic artery and partial spleen infarction. An essential factor in splenic artery thrombosis was increase in blood coagulation potential under rFVIIa administration and depletion of fibrinolytic system (prolongation of XIIa-dependent fibrinolysis from 25 to 75 min) and antithrombin III decrease up to 81%. Cancellation of hemostatic therapy under TEG control ensured fast regression of arterial thrombosis and preservation of spleen. Individual characteristics of patients (compensatory mechanisms of coagulation, comorbidities, clinical changes) should be considered when prescribing hemostatic therapy in hemophilia patients. Perioperative control of all possible coagulation tests (routine and integral) is required for individual selection of hemostatic therapy and decrease of the risk of hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications.

[Informativeness of whole-body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography with computed tomography in follicular lymphoma]

AIM

This study conducted the possibilities of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the whole body diffusion WB-MRI (in comparison with positron emission tomography with computed tomography PET/CT) in assessing the volume and prevalence of the tumor, as well as determining bone marrow (BM) damage (for various cytological types) in the diagnosis and staging of the disease in patients with FL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective comparative search study included 15 patients (4 men and 11 women, with a median age of 53 years) with newly diagnosed FL. Patients have not received antitumor chemotherapy previously. After the diagnosis was established, all patients (with the blindness of both the cases themselves and some specialists regarding the results of other specialists) were examined by PET/CT and diffusion WB-MRI, after which a BM examination was performed (histological examination and determination of B-cell clonality in BM puncture by PCR). Using the diffusion WB-MRI method, the prevalence of tumor lesion (nodal and extranodal foci) in each patient was estimated, and the total tumor volume was calculated, BM lesion was detected, and BM lesion volume was calculated. For lesions of different localization, the measured diffusion coefficient (DC) of the diffusion WB-MRI and the standardized rate of accumulation of the radiopharmaceutical in tissues (SUV) of the PET/CT method were determined and compared with each other (for the same areas). Statistical analysis was performed using the estimate of agreement (by Cohens kappa coefficient and asymptotic test) of the results of the compared methods.

RESULTS

Estimates of the prevalence of tumor damage (lymph nodes and extranodal foci) using the diffusion WB-MRI and PET/CT methods were the same. High DC and SUV were observed in the peripheral lymph nodes, extranodal foci and bulky, low DC and SUV in the foci of BM. All 4 methods successfully determined BM damage, however, the diffusion WB-MRI had comparatively less negative results. The highest values of SUV and CD were noted in cases of the 3 grade of FL. Using the diffusion WB-MRI method, the prevalence of tumor lesion was assessed in each patient (nodal and extranodal foci were detected) and the total tumor volume was calculated, BM lesion detection was performed, and the volume of BM lesion was calculated. It is important to note that with the help of diffusion WB-MRI, it was possible to measure separately the total tumor volume (462025 cm3) and separately the volume of bulky (251358 cm3). The diffusion WB-MRI allowed us to differentiate the volume of tumor tissue (reduced as a result of treatment) and residual (fibrous-adipose) tissue in residual formations (which averaged 21% of the initial volume). The predictors of a poor antitumor response were the maximum SUV values (more than 14.0) and the minimum DC values (0.510-3mm2/s) in the BM foci.

CONCLUSION

The diffusion WB-MRI allows for detailed visualization of BM lesions and surrounding soft tissues both in the debut of the FL and in the process of tracking the effectiveness of chemotherapy, which makes it possible to use it along with PET/CT. Diffusion WB-MRI allows to separately evaluate the volume of true tumor tissue and residual tissue. Cases of the 3 grade of FL (including the transformation of FL into diffuse B-large cell lymphoma) are isolated due to low DC values (and high SUV values) in the tumor tissue. BM foci of FL lesion also have (in comparison with nodal and extranodal foci) lower DC values. The predictors of a poor antitumor response were high (from 14.0 or more) SUV valuesin the tumor (and especially in bulky), and low (about 0.5103mm2/s) DC values of BM foci. The PET/CT and diffusion WB-MRI have proven to be reliable diagnostic tools for establishing the stage of FL and detecting BM damage. Diffusion WB-MRI for FL is an informative first-line diagnostic method that allows regular monitoring of the disease and early detection of foci of relapse and disease progression.

REDUCED DOSING REGIMEN OF ENZYME REPLACEMENT THERAPY IN ADULT PATIENTS WITH TYPE I GAUCHER DISEASE: PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Introduction. Gaucher disease (GD) belongs to the group of lysosomal storage diseases. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is considered to be the current standard in GD treatment. No reduced ERT regimen has thus far been developed. Aim. To develop an optimal reduced ERT regimen for adult patients with type I GD, which is scientifically and economically viable.

Materials and methods. The study included 100 adult patients with type I GD who achieved treatment goals following at least two years of the standard ERT regimen. Patients were prescribed a reduced ERT regimen, which consisted in increasing the interval between the infusions of the recombinant enzyme up to 4 weeks, at a dose of 15–20 units/kg of body weight. The efficacy of the reduced ERT regimen was assessed once every 12 months according to main GD parameters. The follow-up period in the study ranged from 12 to 36 months.

Results. The patients with type I GD who achieved treatment goals following the standard ERT regimen and were then prescribed a reduced ERT regimen retained a stable therapeutic effect of the initial treatment according to all parameters: no clinically significant differences found in haemoglobin and platelet levels, spleen size and specific infiltration of femur bone marrow.

Conclusion. An increase in the intervals between infusions of the recombinant glucocerebrosidase up to 4 weeks for 12, 24 and 36 months did not lead to worsening of the laboratory and instrumental parameters associated with GD. 

Differential radiological diagnosis of tuberculous sacroiliitis and bone involvement in Gaucher disease: a clinical case

Differential diagnosis of bone involvement in patients with Gaucher disease can be challenging. Other diseases with similar radiological signs should be ruled out. Here we present a clinical case of tuberculous sacroiliitis in the patient with type I Gaucher disease. Advanced radiological methods of examination are described. Our case report proves the necessity of an individual approach to the management of such cohort of patients. Keywords: Gaucher disease, tuberculosis of bones and joints, differential diagnosis, comprehensive treatment.

[Diagnosis and treatment in patients with B-cell lymphoma unclassified that is intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Burkitt's lymphoma]

AIM

To characterize a group of patients with B-cell lymphoma (BCLU) unclassified that is intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Burkitt's lymphoma, to identify poor prognostic factors, and to evaluate therapeutic efficiency in patients with BCLU.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twenty-five patients with BCLU were examined. Double-hit lymphoma (DHL) was diagnosed in 8 (32%) patients. According to the Ann-Arbor classification of lymphoma, its stages II, III, and IV were diagnosed in 3 (12%), 2 (8%), and 20 (80%) patients, respectively. MYC rearrangement was observed in 11 (48%) out of 23 patients: single-hit lymphoma in 3 patients and DHL in 8 (BCL2+/MYC+ in 6 cases and BCL6+/MYC+ in 2). The expression of с-MYC (cut off ≥40%) was revealed in 17 (74%) out of 23 patients; that of BCL2 (cut off ≥50%) was detected in 14 (58%) out of 24 patients; coexpression of both proteins was seen in 12 (52%) out of 23 patients. The DHL group showed a correlation between the rearrangement of the BCL2+/MYC+ genes and the expression of MYC and BCL2 proteins in 5 out of 6 patients. Taking into account the heterogeneity of the entire patient group, DHL and non-DHL subgroups were considered separately. Both subgroups were comparable by clinical characteristics. BCLU patients younger than 60 years of age received treatment according to the LB-M-04 ± rituximab; those aged 60 or older had CHOP-like regimens ± rituximab. Autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT) was performed in 5 patients belonging to a high-risk group.

RESULTS

The 3-year overall survival (OS) was 62% and the 3-year event-free survival (EFS) was 51%. The 3-year OS was lower for the DHL group than that for the non-DHL group (43 and 75%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In the DHL group, both OS and EFS are significantly lower (the risk of poor outcome, including death, is higher) than those in the non-DHL group. It is conceivable that intensified chemotherapy with auto-SCT increases treatment results in patients with BCLU; however, a larger number of observations are needed to obtain valid data.