Discrepancia entre SpO2 y SaO2: diagnóstico de cuatro generaciones / From SpO2 and SaO2 discrepancy to diagnosing four generations

Pulse oximetry measures the peripheral oxy-haemoglobin saturation (SpO2) which is a surrogate marker for arterial oxy-haemoglobin saturation (SaO2). SaO2 estimation is subjected to both oximeter proper functioning, patient characteristicsand haemoglobin disturbances. A 82-year-old man goes to the emergency with cough, dyspnoea and fever. He has haemolytic anaemia. His kids also have anaemia. Examination showed fine crackles in pulmonary auscultation of the lower two thirds of the right lung and splenomegaly. SpO2 was 80% (FiO2 21%). Arterial blood gas analysis: pH 7.514; PaCO2 23.4 mmHg; PaO2 43.2 mmHg; Hb 13.0 g/dL. Chest X-ray suggested an infectious process. He was admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of pneumonia. During hospitalization we verify discrepancy between SpO2 and SaO2; haemolytic anaemia. The patient had a respiratory improvement and was discharged to external consult, dying months later. To clarify the discrepancy between SpO2 and SaO2 results; confirm the hereditary nature and identify the haemolytic anaemia, we conducted a retrospective familiar study based on the patient’s clinical processes. Three children were identified with anaemia. Two of the children have known their anaemia for 35 years - studied in the context of respiratory infections with haemolytic crisis due to Lepore haemoglobinopathy and β thalassemia, respectively. The patient previously diagnosed with Lepore haemoglobinopathy, currently undergoing hospital anaemia study, was diagnosed with Köln Hb. The discrepancy between SpO2 and SaO2 in association with a familiar haemolytic anaemia resulted in the diagnosis of autosomal dominant Köln haemoglobinopathy. The advances in the means of diagnosis enabled the probable diagnosis of 19 family members distributed over 4 generations. (AU)

Anemia de Blackfan-Diamond. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Blackfan-Diamond Anemia. A case report and review of the literature

La aplasia congénita de la serie roja es una rara causa de anemia hipoplásica congénita, generalmente secundaria a una mutación esporádica. Por su amplio espectro de presentación puede ser de difícil diagnóstico, aunque está descrito un fenotipo característico. La corticolterapia produce la remisión completa en un gran porcentaje de estos pacientes. La ausencia de repuesta a ésta plantea la realización de un trasplante alogénico de médula de dónate HLA idéntico, preferentemente familiar. Si no se dispone de donante adecuado es preciso aplicar una terapia sustitutiva con transfusiones. La hemosiderosis secundaria puede causar una gran morbimortalidad. Nuevas terapias inmunosupresoras con resultados diversos y el uso de la quelación oral podrían cambiar el pronóstico de forma importante. Presentamos, una paciente de diagnóstico precoz, en la que se evidenció una mutación esporádica, resistente a los tratamientos convencionales y no convencionales que, gracias a la quelación oral, ha mejorado radicalmente sus cifras de ferritina, evitando las complicaciones de la hemosiderosis. Actualmente está en espera para acceder a un programa de fertilización para selección embrionaria de posible donante, ya que no posee donante familiar histocompatible (AU)

Congenital aplasia of the red cell series is a rare cause of congenital hypoplastic anemia, generally secondary to sporadic mutation. Due to its wide presentation spectrum, it may be difficult to diagnose, although a characteristic phenotype is described. Corticosteroid therapy may produce complete remission in a large percentage of these patients. Lack of response to it suggests the performance of an allergenic bone marrow transplant form an identical HLA donor, preferably a relative. If no adequate donor is available, substitution treatment must be given with transfusions. Secondary hemosiderosis may cause great morbidity-mortality. New immunosuppressant therapies with different results and the use of oral chelation may change the prognosis significantly. We present the case of a patient with early diagnosis in whom sporadic mutation was observed that was resistant to conventional and non-conventional treatments. Thanks to oral chelation, her ferritin values have radically improved, thus avoiding the complications of hemosiderosis. At present, she is waiting to access a fertilization program for embrionary selection of a possible donor, since she has no histocompatible family donor (AU)