BJH - volume 14, issue 8, december 2023
M. Pirotte MD, A. De Voeght MD, G. Vertenoeil MD, PhD, M. Vasbien MD, H. Paridaens MD, J. Somja MD, PhD, P. Collins MD, F. Lambert MD
VEXAS syndrome, an acquired autoinflammatory syndrome, is classified within the complex of autoinflammatory diseases (AID), arising from aberrant changes in the innate immune system due to acquisition of somatic mutation of the UBA1 gene in bone marrow cells. This recently identified syndrome is characterised by systemic inflammation, chondritis, neutrophilic dermatosis, pulmonary involvement, thrombosis, macrocytosis and cytopenia in mature men. We present a case study of a 67-years-old man exhibiting multiple thrombotic manifestations without any known underlying aetiology or haemopathy. This report emphasises the crucial collaboration between clinicians, cytologists and geneticists highlighting the pivotal role of UBA1 mutation screening in the diagnostic process to confirm the final diagnosis.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2023;14(8):336–42)
Read moreBJH - volume 14, issue 7, november 2023
H. Lismont MD, T. Tousseyn MD, PhD, D. Dierickx MD, PhD
We report the case of a 56-year-old patient with medical history of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), presenting with shortness of breath and lower extremity oedema. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed an important amount of pericardial fluid and an infiltrating mass located at the left ventricular wall. A pericardial window with drainage was performed and a biopsy of the pericardium was taken. The pathological report was compatible with an extramedullary manifestation of AML. Further work-up with complete blood test and bone marrow biopsy confirmed a systemic AML relapse. The patient was treated with re-induction chemotherapy and cardiac radiotherapy followed by a second allogeneic stem cell transplantation, leading to a complete remission.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2023;14(7):304–7)
Read moreBJH - volume 14, issue 6, october 2023
M. Beltjens MD, R. Lattenist MD, M. Rousseaux MD, P. Saussoy MD, PhD, X. Poiré MD, PhD, N. Straetmans MD, PhD
We report a patient developing mast cell leukaemia with subsequent multi-organ failure, three years after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for myelodysplastic syndrome. Mast cell leukaemia is a very rare condition, accounting for <1% of all mastocytosis. In this article, we will discuss the atypical disease progression and treatment response, and diagnostic challenges.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2023;14(6):255–8)
Read moreBJH - volume 14, issue 4, june 2023
M. Cuykx PhD, B. Hodossy MD, I. Vrelust MD, M. Develter MD, B. Maes MD, PhD, J. Boes , J. Willemse PhD
In this case report, we describe two patients with systemic mastocytosis with an associated haematological neoplasm. The KIT c.2447A>T;p. (Asp816Val) (D816V) mutation, the original driver mutation of mastocytosis, can, in combination with additional genetic abnormalities, drive the clonal evolution towards an additional myelodysplastic or myeloproliferative neoplasia. When patients present with a dominant phenotype of the latter neoplasia, which is often the cause in chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) or acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), the original mastocytosis could be overlooked, missing therapeutic opportunities.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2023;14(4):178–82)
Read moreBJH - volume 14, issue 3, may 2023
J. Nelissen MD, K.L. Wu MD, PhD, N. Granacher MD, D. Breems MD, PhD
Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare genetic disorder that causes mucocutaneous telangiectasia and visceral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Recurrent iron deficiency and anaemia are significant complications often treated by haematologists. Bevacizumab, an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody, has been implemented to target elevated levels of VEGF as seen in HHT patients. We present a single centre case series of three patients with recurrent bleeding issues due to HHT who have been treated with bevacizumab. All three patients were benefited in terms of mean haemoglobin, need for iron infusions and number of haemostatic interventions. Based on our own case series and existing literature, systemic bevacizumab appears to be effective in the treatment of bleeding-related conditions. However, the optimal dose and treatment strategy has yet to be determined. Randomised controlled studies are needed to further support the indication of bevacizumab in HHT.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2023;14(3):135–8)
Read moreBJH - volume 14, issue 2, march 2023
R.M. Bouttelgier MD, M. Verhé MD, J. Van Droogenbroeck MD, L.J. Vanopdenbosch MD, PhD
In this article, we present a case of a 53-year-old female multiple myeloma patient who was diagnosed with leptomeningeal myelomatosis after two years of treatment. This extramedullary presentation is extremely rare and occurs in less than 1% of multiple myeloma patients. Leptomeningeal myelomatosis most commonly manifests with headache, confusion, cerebral nerve palsy and radiculopathy. When leptomeningeal myelomatosis is suspected, the first step in diagnosis is contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is imperative for definite diagnosis. Leptomeningeal myelomatosis is commonly associated with high-risk genetic features including deletion of 17p (TP53), absence of CD56, IgA or IgD paraprotein and lambda subtype. Leptomeningeal myelomatosis has a poor prognosis with an expected survival in terms of months after diagnosis. There is no standard treatment. However, there is some evidence for promising results of therapy with marizomib and pomalidomide.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2023;14(2):73–6)
Read moreBJH - volume 13, issue 7, november 2022
N. Kint MD, PhD, M. Delforge MD, PhD
Plasma cell leukaemia (PCL) is a rare and aggressive plasma cell malignancy and is generally considered to be the final stage of multiple myeloma (MM). Although treatment modalities for MM have significantly evolved in the past decades, PCL unfortunately still retains an overall dismal prognosis, with most patients presenting with a highly symptomatic and aggressive disease course. We present a case of a transplant-ineligible patient diagnosed with a primary PCL who had an indolent presentation and achieved a durable complete remission after treatment via bortezomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (VRD). The present case illustrates the clinical heterogeneity of plasma cell disorders, and highlights the necessity of careful cytomorphological and flow cytometric analysis of aberrant lymphoid cells, even in the absence of stigmata of MM.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(7):277–80)
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