Hydroxyurea in thalassemia intermedia--a promising therapy.

Pharmacological agents such as hydroxyurea (HU) have been known to cause induction of fetal hemoglobin and possibly may alleviate the symptoms in thalassemia intermedia patients. Thirty-seven patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia were enrolled to assess response to HU therapy. Major response was defined as transfusion independence or hemoglobin rise of more than 20 g/l and minor response as rise in hemoglobin of 10-20 g/l or reduction in transfusion frequency by 50%. The median age was 10 years (range: 4-50 years) and median follow-up was 12 months (range: 4-36 months). Twenty-six patients (70.2%) showed response to HU therapy. Seventeen patients (45.9%) were major responders, and nine patients (24.3%) showed minor response. There was no correlation of response with beta-thalassemia mutation or XmnI polymorphism; however, the presence of alpha(3.7) deletion was associated with major response in three patients. Mean fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels rose on HU therapy. Older age, low baseline F cell percent, and low baseline HbF levels (below 10%) were predictors of poor response. Response was evident within 1 month of starting HU therapy in the majority of responders. Thus, a short trial of HU therapy can predict durable response.

Sickle beta-thalassemia presenting as orbital compression syndrome.

Orbital compression syndrome is caused by disorders of varying etiologies involving the orbit and presents with ocular and extraocular dysfunction. Ocular involvement of sickle cell disease is uncommon. A 17-year-old male presented with low backache and proptosis of both eyes of 5 days duration without past history of pain crisis or transfusion. Examination revealed pallor, icterus, bilateral proptosis, conjuctival chemosis, and symmetrical restriction of ocular movements with preserved visual acuity. He was drowsy with no other focal deficits. The fundus showed macular edema, venous engorgement, and no hemorrhage. His peripheral smear showed presence of sickle cells. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the orbit revealed orbital subperiosteal hematomas. CT head images showed epidural hematoma in the frontal lobe. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mutation studies revealed sickle beta-thalassemia in the patient. He was managed with supportive care, transfusions to keep hemoglobin above 10 g/dl, and hydroxyurea. The patient recovered fully and remained well during follow-up of 12 months. Our case was unique for presenting as orbital compression syndrome without any history of vaso-occlusive crisis.