An Unusual Case of HHV-8 Negative, Idiopathic, Multicentric Castleman Disease Following Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia.

Background: Castleman disease is a rare condition characterised by polytypic lymphocytes proliferation and lymphadenopathy generally with a benign course. Whereas high grade lymphoma (Richter syndrome) is a classical complication seen in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia with a poor outcome, benign conditions mimicking this entity are infrequent. Case description: We describe the case of an 81-year-old Caucasian male who developed a human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8)-negative, idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) following a treated Binet C chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The clinical and radiological pattern raised initially the suspicion of a classical Richter transformation. Blood analysis showed auto-immune haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia. He had normal immunoglobulin levels. The anatomopathological analysis of a cervical adenomegaly showed hypervascularisation and a polytypic plasmocytic proliferation compatible with a plasmocytic iMCD type. Interestingly, bone marrow examination showed reticuline fibrosis but, in the absence of anasarca or generalised oedema, we were not allowed to conclude to the diagnosis of a TAFRO syndrome. We excluded all other mimicking conditions, comprising haematological malignancies, infections, and auto-immune diseases He was first treated with corticosteroids with poor results but dramatically responded to tocilizumab (anti-Il6). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this the first case described of a Castleman disease following CLL and surprisingly mimicking Richter syndrome. Clinicians should be aware of this rare misleading condition. LEARNING POINTS: Castleman disease can mimic a Richter transformation in a CLL patient.

Cryptosporidiosis, an Uncommon Complication after Allogeneic Stem-Cell Transplantation.

Parasitic infections by Cryptosporidium species are rare but can be life-threatening disease after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Here, we reported a case of cryptosporidiosis occurring after a reduced-intensity conditioning and allo-SCT in a 64-year-old farmer with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Around day 70 after allo-SCT, he presented with diarrhea attributed to graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and was treated with immunosuppressive therapy. Due to the patient's worsening clinical condition, a biopsy review was performed, revealing evidence of cryptosporidiosis. Therefore, immunosuppressive therapy was progressively decreased, and antimicrobial therapy including paromomycin and azithromycin was initiated. Following an increase in diarrhea, a second-line treatment with nitazoxanide was administered, resulting in gradual improvement of symptoms. However, recurrence of cryptosporidiosis occurred despite treatment with paromomycin 6 months after transplant and after an episode of GvHD recurrence and colic cytomegalovirus reactivation. Antiparasitic treatment was stopped and azithromycin and rifaximine were started. Immunosuppressive therapy was also reduced. The good clinical evolution allowed for the cessation of all medications. In conclusion, Cryptosporidium infection can complicate allo-SCT and be mistaken for GvHD at the clinical and histologic levels. Early and accurate diagnosis is all the more important as the therapeutic approach for the two conditions is opposite: reduction versus intensification of immunosuppressive therapy. Nitazoxanide, paromomycin, and azithromycin are the first therapeutic options.

Chylothorax due to central vein thrombosis treated by venous stenting using a dual approach: A case report.

RATIONALE: Central vein thrombosis is an uncommon cause of chylothorax, usually secondary to central venous catheterization in association with prothrombotic state causes such as malignancies. In the following case, thrombosis was located in the left brachiocephalic vein and caused recurrent chylothorax resistant to the first line of treatment and successfully treated by percutaneous recanalization using a dual approach. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 52-year-old male patient with current follicular lymphoma undergoing treatment and recent history of COVID-19 pulmonary infection was hospitalized for dyspnea. A chest X-ray revealed extensive bilateral pleural effusion. Analysis of the pleural fluid was compatible with a chylothorax. Iodin injected thoracic computed tomography (CT) revealed a complete left brachiocephalic thrombosis extending to the left axillary vein, with no thoracic mass. DIAGNOSES: Chylothorax due to left brachiocephalic vein thrombosis. INTERVENTIONS: Following an unsuccessful first line of treatment consisting of a low-fat diet, somatostatins and anticoagulation medication, the patient was elected to undergo minimally invasive venous recanalization with stenting. After a first failed attempt of recanalization by femoral access, we successfully crossed the thrombus through brachial access and conducted a dilatation and stenting of the brachiocephalic vein by femoral access, using a "telepheric" method. OUTCOMES: During the 4-month follow up, PET-scanner and chest X-ray demonstrated a significant reduction of the pleural effusion, and the patient reported complete clinical recovery. LESSONS: Central vein thrombosis is an unusual cause of chylothorax. We report a case of chylothorax complicating a brachiocephalic vein thrombosis successfully treated by percutaneous recanalization and stenting using a dual brachial and femoral approach. No thoracic duct embolization or ligature was required.

Elderly Patients (Age 70 Years or Older) With Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia or Acute Myeloid Leukemia Developed Concurrently to Another Malignant Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) remains a therapeutic challenge. In elderly patients with AML, it is unclear whether sAML displays an inferior outcome compared with de novo AML. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied AML with an antecedent of hematologic disease, treatment-related AML, or AML occurring concurrently to another malignancy in a single-center cohort of patients aged 70 and older with AML. The study included 169 patients who were compared with a cohort of patients with de novo AML, without any prior history of malignant disorders, seen during the same period of time. RESULTS: Hematologic antecedents or presence of prior/concurrent solid malignancy did not impact complete remission rates and overall survival. In multivariate analysis, sAML appeared without independent prognostic value in the elderly. CONCLUSION: Our results support that sAML and de novo AML in elderly patients are not prognostically distinct entities. They should therefore not be considered separately when investigating outcomes and new treatment strategies.

Case report: Purulent transformation of granulocytic sarcoma: An unusual pattern of differentiation in acute promyelocytic leukemia.

RATIONALE: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a curable subtype of acute myeloid leukemia. APL is currently treated with combination of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) resulting in the induction of apoptosis and differentiation of the leukemic cells. Differentiation syndrome (so-called ATRA syndrome) is the main life-threatening complication of induction therapy with these differentiating agents. PATIENT CONCERNS: Herein, we report the case of a 49-year-old woman diagnosed with APL with, concomitantly, a bulky cutaneous lesion of 10 cm diameter with a red-to-purple background and a necrotic center, localized on her abdomen. DIAGNOSES: After 10 days of treatment, the cutaneous lesion became purulent. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis performed on this pus confirmed the presence of malignant features in the involved granulocytes proving their origin from the differentiation of leukemic APL cells, as all the analyzed nuclei showed 2 promyelocytic leukemia (PML)-retinoic acid receptor-a (RARA) fusions signals. INTERVENTION: The association by ATRA and ATO was continued. OUTCOME: Eventually, the evolution was favorable with healing in three weeks. LESSONS: This case report therefore highlights the differentiation phenomenon of promyelocytic blasts within promyelocytic sarcoma with the ATRA-ATO combination and the efficacy of this drug association in resolving both the malignant sarcoma and a secondary local infection.