Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome mimics a relapse of AIDS-related Burkitt lymphoma.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is associated with clinical manifestations that can overlap with the patients with acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS)-related non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We herein report a case of AIDS-related Burkitt lymphoma which was successfully treated with dose-adjusted etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (EPOCH). However, the patient developed a lymphoma-like clinical presentation shortly after the conclusion of chemotherapy. The patient's symptoms were identical to the initial symptoms characteristic of lymphoma; however, the laboratory data revealed no evidence of a relapse of Burkitt lymphoma. A bone marrow examination showed T-cell clonality, even though there were no signs of any progression of the lymphoma. The patient was diagnosed with IRIS, and the clinical manifestations rapidly improved following treatment.

Abrupt evolution of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute myeloid leukemia in myelodysplastic syndrome.

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a clonal disorder arising from an alteration in multipotent stem cells, which lose the ability of normal proliferation and differentiation. Disease progression occurs in approximately 30% MDS cases. Specific chromosomal alterations seem responsible for each step in the evolution of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Multiple genetic aberrations occur during the clonal evolution of MDS; however, few studies report the presence of the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome. We report a rare case of Ph-positive AML, which evolved during the course of low-risk MDS. The patient, a 76-year-old man with mild leukocytopenia, was diagnosed with MDS, refractory neutropenia (RN). After 1.5 yr, his peripheral blood and bone marrow were suddenly occupied by immature basophils and myeloblasts, indicating the onset of AML. A bone marrow smear showed multilineage dysplasia, consistent with MDS evolution. Chromosomal analysis showed an additional t(9;22)(q34;q11) translocation. Because progression occurred concurrently with emergence of the Ph chromosome, we diagnosed this case as Ph-positive AML with basophilia arising from the clonal evolution of MDS. The patient was initially treated with nilotinib. A hematological response was soon achieved with disappearance of the Ph chromosome in the bone marrow. Emergence of Ph-positive AML in the course of low-risk MDS has rarely been reported. We report this case as a rare clinical course of MDS.

[Successful treatment of chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome with continuous subcutaneous infusion of heparin using a mobile infusion pump: report of 2 cases].

We report here two patients with chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation (chronic DIC) secondary to aortic aneurysm, who were successfully treated with continuous subcutaneous infusion of heparin. The patients were 69- and 89-year-old males, who were admitted to our hospital because of thrombocytopenia and marked bleeding tendency. The underlying conditions were aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm, respectively. Coagulation test demonstrated that these patients had DIC, and a diagnosis of chronic DIC secondary to aortic aneurysm was made. Anti-coagulation treatment with oral camostat mesylate and daily subcutaneous infusion of heparin calcium was started. However, the treatment was insufficient to control chronic DIC, and these patients developed recurrent severe subcutaneous hemorrhages. Therefore, we attempted continuous subcutaneous infusion of heparin using a mobile infusion pump. This delivery of heparin markedly improved the coagulopathy, and the hemorrhagic episode disappeared with good compliance in the use of infusion equipment in these patients. Continuous subcutaneous infusion of heparin using a mobile infusion pump is effective and useful for long term treatment of chronic DIC by the outpatient department.