Articles

Guidelines of the Belgian Hematology Society for imaging in multiple myeloma

BJH - volume 12, issue 8, december 2021

N. Meuleman MD, PhD, J. Caers MD, PhD, K. Fostier MD, P. Vlummens MD, S. Pans MD, L. Goethals MD, PhD, J. Alexiou MD, M. Cliquennois MD, C. Doyen MD, PhD, A. de Weweire MD, R. Schots MD, PhD, M. Delforge MD, PhD, M-C. Vekemans MD

SUMMARY

Despite major improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), bone damage remains a major feature of this disease. With the development of new diagnostic tools, conventional skeletal studies have been progressively replaced by novel imaging techniques. Today, imaging plays a crucial role in defining symptomatic multiple myeloma, measurement of the extent of skeletal involvement and assessing therapeutic response including minimal residual disease (MRD). Based on an extensive review of the recent literature, we propose an array of Belgian recommendations for myeloma imaging to be used as a reference by haematologists in their daily practice.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2021;12(8):338–43)

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Myopathy as a rare presentation of AL amyloidosis

BJH - volume 8, issue 3, june 2017

C. Meert MD, S. Vanderschueren MD, PhD, K. Poesen MD, PhD, R. Sciot MD, PhD, S. Pans MD, M. Delforge MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Amyloid myopathy is a rare manifestation of amyloid light chain amyloidosis. We present a case of a 41-year old male with multiple myeloma with muscle hypertrophy, muscle weakness and enlargement of the submandibular glands as the only presenting clinical symptoms, illustrating the sheer difficulty of diagnosing amyloid light chain amyloidosis in patients with mainly soft tissue involvement. Even if there is a clinical suspicion, it is often hard to verify as Congo red stain and immunohistochemistry on muscle biopsy are not always reliable. After bortezomib-based induction treatment followed by autologous stem cell transplantation with high dose melphalan conditioning, he achieved complete haematological remission as well as a significant clinical response. We would like to highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, as progression to more extensive visceral involvement can lead to rapid occurrence of organ failure and death.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2017;8(3):113–7)

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