BJH - volume 5, issue 3, september 2014
J. Van Der Straeten MSc, B. De Moerloose MD, PhD, M-F. Dresse MD, PhD, S. Dupont MD, A. Ferster MD, PhD, P. Philippet MD, A. Uyttebroeck MD, PhD, J. van der Werff ten Bosch MD, PhD, C. Demanet MD, PhD, Y Benoit MD, PhD, M. Bakkus PhD
In Belgium approximately 70 children are diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia annually. For these children, the monitoring of minimal residual disease has an important prognostic value. The level of minimal residual disease during the first three months of therapy is used to recognise subgroups that differ substantially in outcome. Two techniques are used for minimal residual disease monitoring: the Genescan method and the allele specific oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction. The Genescan method is a less sensitive method (10−3) but is fast and less expensive. The allele specific oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction requires more time and budget but has a sensitivity of 10−4–10−5. Both techniques have proven their value in minimal residual disease monitoring in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2014;5(3):81–8)
Read moreBJH - volume 4, issue 4, december 2013
S. van Steijn MD, A. Van Damme MD, PhD, A. Malfroot MD, PhD, J. van der Werff ten Bosch MD, PhD
Haemolytic anaemia in childhood has an extensive differential diagnosis. We present a case of a twelve year old girl with haemolytic anaemia. A diagnosis of auto-immune haemolytic anaemia, probable Systemic Lupus Erythematosus was withheld. The girl was treated with immunosuppressive medication including prednisone and monoclonal anti-CD20 (Rituximab). After two years of follow-up a mediastinal mass was found and the diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma was confirmed. She was treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy with good response. This case reminds us that Hodgkin’s lymphoma is not always an obvious diagnosis and that we should exclude this diagnosis in all patients with haemolytic anaemia or other auto-immune (like) manifestations.
(BELG J HEMATOL 2013; 4(4):148–150)
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