Duodenal Ulcer with Massive Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage as an Initial Manifestation in Multiple Myeloma with Extramedullary Disease: A Case Report

Plasma cell neoplasms are characterized by dysregulated proliferation of mature B cells, which can present with either single (solitary plasmacytoma) or systemic (multiple myeloma (MM)) involvement. MM with extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a rare disease that accounts for approximately 3–5% of all plasmacytomas. EMP with gastrointestinal (GI) system involvement is an even rarer entity, accounting for <1% of MM cases. We present a case of aggressive MM with EMP invading the duodenum, initially presented with massive upper GI hemorrhage and small bowel obstruction. A 67-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital owing to a lack of either gas or feces passage for 3 days. Abdominal distention and vomit with a high coffee ground content were observed for 24 h. The patient’s condition was initially diagnosed as small bowel obstruction, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, severe anemia, acute renal failure, and hypercalcemia. Furthermore, an analysis of immunoelectrophoresis in the blood, bone marrow aspiration, and tissue biopsy supported the diagnosis of MM and EMP invading the duodenum, upper GI hemorrhage, and small bowel obstruction. Our study provided the possible involvement of MM and EMP in the differential diagnosis of patients with unexplained GI hemorrhage and small bowel obstruction. A thorough review of the literature regarding the association between MM, GI hemorrhage, and small bowel obstruction is presented in this study.

Polycythemia vera presenting with pulmonary embolism and splenic infarction: a case report

Pulmonary embolism and splenic infarction are rare in patients with polycythemia vera. We herein describe a man in his early 60s whose main symptoms were chest tightness, cough, and sputum expectoration. Antibiotics, bronchodilators, and mucoactive agents did not improve his symptoms. Pulmonary artery computed tomography angiography showed pulmonary embolism, and abdominal computed tomography showed multiple hypodense foci in the spleen. Bone marrow aspiration cytology, biopsy, and genetic testing confirmed polycythemia vera. The patient’s symptoms were relieved after treatment with hydroxyurea and rivaroxaban. This case emphasizes that although pulmonary embolism and splenic infarction are relatively rare in patients with polycythemia vera, the possibility of polycythemia vera should be considered in clinical practice.

HIV Myelopathy- A cross-sectional study of constellation of bone marrow findings in HIV/AIDS

Introduction and Aim: Haematological manifestations in HIV disease is common and can happen at any phase during the disease course. Anemia and thrombocytopenia are the most frequent hematologic abnormalities and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The objective of current study was to observe and analyse various spectrum of bone marrow changes and haematological abnormalities in HIV/AIDS and to correlate findings with CD4 count. Material and Methods: A total of 44 patients over a period of 5 years were included. Clinical findings, hematological profile, bone-marrow aspirate, biopsy findings and CD4 count of these patients were documented. The association between absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and CD4 count were further established. Results: The most common clinical indication for bone-marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy was pancytopenia (47.3%), pyrexia of unknown origin (15.1%), and unresolving hepatosplenomegaly (13.6%). Anemia (72.7%) was commonest haematological abnormality. Bone marrow aspirate was normocellular in majority of patients. Marrow findings were correlated with CD4 count and were found to be statistically significant. Tri-lineage dysplasia was observed in 9.1% of patients, and megakaryocytic dysplasia being the commonest(61.4%). Histiocytic aggregates (27.3%) were noted among which 6.8% showed acid fast bacilli in Ziehl-Neelsen stain. Fungal stains revealed histoplasmosis in 4.5% patients. Conclusion: There was a strong negative association between presence of anemia and dysplasia and CD4 count. When CD4 was <200/µL and ALC<1000/mm3, presence of anemia and dysplasia affecting various cell lines were commonly observed; therefore, can be used as indicators to assess the severity of the disease.

Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in Adult with Dengue Infection

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) or haemophagocytic syndrome is a rare but life-threatening syndrome of excessive immune activation with nonspecific clinical presentation. HLH is one of the complications in dengue infection. A 69-year-old lady was treated for severe dengue with multi-organ dysfunction with superimposed pneumonia, requiring mechanical ventilation. However, persistent cytopenia despite blood transfusion without evidence of haemorrhage raised the suspicion of HLH. Further blood investigations revealed hypertriglyceridaemia, hypofibrinogenaemia and hyperferritinaemia. Bone marrow aspiration showed haemophagocytosis. Patient fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for HLH by HLH-2004 trial. Her HScore is 281, with the probability of having HLH is 99.9%. Patient’s condition improved after administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and intravenous dexamethasone in tapering doses. Early specific treatment of HLH with IVIG and/or corticosteroid is important but diagnosis is usually delayed due to nonspecific clinical findings and laboratory results. High index of suspicion with the aid of diagnostic criteria by HLH-2004 trial and HScore is helpful to recognise this syndrome.

Determining Acute Leukemia Lineage Using Mie Map Red Blood Cell

The determination of myeloid and lymphoid lineage is essential for the diagnosis and therapy of acute leukemia. Immunophenotyping is the gold standard to determine the lineage of acute leukemia, but it is still constrained and relatively expensive. Mie Map RBC in the ADVIA 2120i is a parameter that can give additional information about myeloid and lymphoid lineage but has never been studied before. It is expected that Mie Map RBC can be used to differentiate the lineage of acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemia if immunophenotyping is not present. This study aimed to analyze the diagnostic value of Mie Map RBC with ADVIA 2120i towards immunophenotyping in determining myeloid and lymphoid lineage in acute leukemia. Child and adult patients diagnosed with acute leukemia (n=30) that had peripheral blood smear and bone marrow aspiration with blasts > 20% were examined using ADVIA 2120i. The Mie Map RBC lineage results were compared to the lineage of immunophenotyping. The sensitivity and specificity of the Mie Map RBC myeloid series are respectively 60.00%, 93.33%. The sensitivity and specificity of the Mie Map RBC lymphoid series are respectively 93.33% and 60.00%. The diagnostic accuracy value of Mie Map RBC is 76.67%. The determination of acute leukemia myeloid series lineage has high specificity. If there is no population outside the matrix of Mie Map RBC, it highly suggests myeloid series. On the other hand, the determination of acute leukemia lymphoid series lineage has a relatively low specificity meaning that the population outside the matrix of Mie Map RBC does not always suggest a lymphoid lineage

Bone marrow aspiration in a patient with systemic microsporidium

A 34-year-old female presented with several weeks of fever, fatigue, weight loss, abdominal pain and hemoptysis. PE revealed moderate pallor, RUQ pain, mild dyspnea, conjunctival injection and hepatomegaly. The CBC showed anemia, mild leukocytosis, hypoalbuminemia, hypertransaminasemia, presence of nucleated red blood cells. Microsporidium was found in BMA.

Sedative and Analgesic Effects of Intravenous Midazolam and Ketamine Combination in Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy of Childhood Cancer

Background: Various drugs, including ketamine and midazolam, are used for sedation in children. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous midazolam and ketamine combination in bone marrow aspiration and biopsy in children with cancer. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 children aged six months to 17 years candidates for bone marrow aspiration or biopsy. Sampling was easy, accessible, and sequential. Children were injected with 0.05 mg/kg midazolam and 1 mg/kg ketamine for sedation and analgesia. Then, sedation rate, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, laryngospasm, and decreased oxygen saturation were assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 18 software. Results: The mean age of children was 6.8 ± 4.3 years. The mean degree of sedation based on the modified Ramsey score was 5.2 ± 0.74. Nausea and vomiting were observed in nine (9%) children. Six (6%) children had arterial saturation of less than 90%. Twelve (12%) children showed restlessness when waking up. There were no cases of laryngeal spasms. Conclusions: The present study showed that the intravenous midazolam and ketamine combination provides suitable sedation and analgesia to children, with low and negligible side effects.

Atraumatic Splenic Rupture is a Rare Complication of Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction: Atraumatic Splenic Rupture (ASR) is a rare but life-threatening clinicopathological phenomenon with limited information on patient features, occurrence, or etiology. Case presentation: A 48-year-old man with no history of the underlying disease presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain. He was admitted with leukocytosis 145x103/µl, hemoglobin 6.4 g/dl, and platelets 15x103/µl, ESR 89mm/h, D-Dimer 1043ng/FEU ml. Sputum test (PCR) ruled out SARS-CoV-2 infection. Due to peripheral blood smear and bone marrow aspiration/biopsy, AML was diagnosed for the patient. On the third day of hospitalization, the patient's abdominal pain intensifies. Ultrasound revealed medium free fluid inside the abdomen and pelvis. The patient was transferred to the operating room to undergo an emergency laparotomy. There was a large hematoma in the spleen with a rupture in its posterior surface. Splenectomy was performed. The histopathological study of the spleen showed leukemic involvement, capsular ruptures, and subcapsular hematomas. Discussion: ASR is an uncommon and lethal complication that is seen in infectious diseases (mainly mononucleosis) and hematological diseases (mainly malignant homeopathies) in more than half of cases. Mortality is approximately around 20%. Some deaths occur before the diagnosis is confirmed, while others occur after surgery, as a result of delayed management and poor patient status. Conclusion: ASR can occur for a variety of reasons, including non-traumatic or idiopathic factors. In the absence of significant trauma, emergency physicians should be aware that splenic rupture can occur. ASR is more likely to present with symptoms similar to the underlying disease.