Ophthalmic manifestations of haematological disorders / Manifestaciones oftálmicas de trastornos hematológicos

Five case histories are presented. Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia caused bilateral central retinal vein occlusion, proptosis was the presenting feature of retro-orbital plasmacytoma in relapsed multiple myeloma, a red painful eye was due to neovascular glaucoma in primary polycythaemia, bilateral VIth nerve palsy caused convergent squint and diplopia in meningeal relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and lymphoma of the eyelid caused complete ptosis. Interdisciplinary management is described. Ophthalmological lesions in haematological disease should be promptly recognized and managed. Collabo-ration between ophthalmology and haematology departments may be effective for palliative management.

Se presentan cinco historias de casos. La macroglobulinemia de Waldenström causó la obstrucción bilateral de la vena central de la retina; la proptosis fue la primera manifestación del plasmacitoma retro-orbital en la recaída del mieloma; un ojo enrojecido con dolor debido a un glaucoma neovascular en una policitemia primaria; la parálisis del 7mo nervio bilateral causó estrabismo convergente y diplopía en la recaída meníngea de la leucemia linfoblástica aguda; y un linfoma del párpado causó ptosis total. Se describe el tratamiento interdisciplinario. Es necesario reconocer y tratas lo antes posible las lesiones oftalmológicas en las enfermedades hematológicas. La colaboración entre los departamentos de oftalmología y hematología puede ser efectiva a la hora de buscar tratamientos paliativos.

Amiloidosis extrema asociada a mieloma múltiple e insuficiencia renal terminal: Caso clínico / Primary amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma and renal failure: Case report

We report a 53-year-old female on chronic dialysis, presenting with weight loss, the development of big soft masses in the shoulders ("shoulder pads"), forearms and buttocks, macroglossia and rigidity of hands and lower limbs. Laboratory confirmed the presence of amyloidosis and myeloma with lambda chain restricted plasma cell infiltration of bone marrow. The diagnosis of multiple myeloma associated with primary amyloidosis in a patient with terminal renal failure, was reached.

Chronic hepatitis virus infection in patients with multiple myeloma: clinical characteristics and outcomes

OBJECTIVES: Cytotoxic agents and steroids are used to treat lymphoid malignancies, but these compounds may exacerbate chronic viral hepatitis. For patients with multiple myeloma, the impact of preexisting hepatitis virus infection is unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the characteristics and outcomes of myeloma patients with chronic hepatitis virus infection. METHODS: From 2003 to 2008, 155 myeloma patients were examined to determine their chronic hepatitis virus infection statuses using serologic tests for the hepatitis B (HBV) and C viruses (HCV). Clinical parameters and outcome variables were retrieved via a medical chart review. RESULTS: The estimated prevalences of chronic HBV and HCV infections were 11.0 percent (n = 17) and 9.0 percent (n = 14), respectively. The characteristics of patients who were hepatitis virus carriers and those who were not were similar. However, carrier patients had a higher prevalence of conventional cytogenetic abnormalities (64.3 percent vs. 25.0 percent). The cumulative incidences of grade 3-4 elevation of the level of alanine transaminase, 30.0 percent vs. 12.0 percent, and hyperbilirubinemia, 20.0 percent vs. 1.6 percent, were higher in carriers as well. In a Kaplan-Meier analysis, carrier patients had worse overall survival (median: 16.0 vs. 42.4 months). The prognostic value of carrier status was not statistically significant in the multivariate analysis, but an age of more than 65 years old, the presence of cytogenetic abnormalities, a beta-2-microglobulin level of more than 3.5 mg/L, and a serum creatinine level of more than 2 mg/ dL were independent factors associated with poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: Myeloma patients with chronic hepatitis virus infections might be a distinct subgroup, and close monitoring of hepatic adverse events should be mandatory.

Xantomatosis eruptiva: a propósito de un caso / Eruptive xanthomata

Se presenta el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino y 41 años, diabético tipo II, que manifiesta la aparición en forma abrupta de múltiples lesiones diagnosticadas como xantomas eruptivos. Debido a que la hiperlipidemia puede presentarse con xantomas, los dermatólogos pueden ser los primeros en diagnosticar éstas lesiones cutáneas asociadas con anormalidades lipídicas

Púrpura hipergammaglobulinémica asociada con cirrosis por hepatitis crónica por virus C / Hypergammaglobulinemic purpura associated with chronic hepatitis C and cirrhosis

Se presenta un paciente de 60 años, argentino, con antecedentes de púrpura hipergammaglobulinémica, afectando miembros inferiores y abdomen, desde hace 19 años, con vasculitis leucocitoclástica, factor reumatoideo positivo y crioglobulinemia, asociada con cirrosis por hepatitis crónica por virus C. Es posible que pacientes diagnosticados como púrpura crioglobulinémica estén afectados de hipergammaglobulinas séricas y ambas púrpuras representen una misma enfermedad

Compromiso renal en el mieloma múltiple / Renal compromise in the multiple myeloma

Se efectúa una revisión de los aspectos básicos de la fisiopatología y de la clínica del mieloma múltiple. Se exponen los mecanismos de daño renal de esta enfermedad, asi como su expresión anatomopatológica y clínica. Se revisa la terapéutica de esta nefropatía, incluyendo una enumeración de las medidas preventivas y una exposición de los tratamientos de la insuficiencia renal tanto aguda como crónica. Se exponen los principales aspectos de la nefropatía por cadenas livianas