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Biomedical subjects

S Lassoued

Publications and source records attributed to S Lassoued.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Maintenance treatment with recombinant alpha interferon after autologous bone marrow transplantation for aggressive myeloma in first remission after conventional induction chemotherapy.

Twenty patients (median age 57 years) with high tumor mass myeloma in first remission after conventional chemotherapy received a two-phase treatment: autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) using a preparative regimen of high dose melphalan plus total body irradiation followed by maintenance treatment with recombinant alpha interferon. Before ABMT all patients were in partial remission, while after ABMT 10 (50%) achieved complete remission, and 10 remained in partial remission (with a 90% decrease in measurable paraprotein in 7/10). With a median follow-up of 19.8 months (12.2-33.5) after diagnosis and 13 months (4-25) after ABMT, the Kaplan-Meier 2-year post-ABMT probability of progression-free survival was 85% (95% CI = 58.7-95.8%). None of the 10 patients in complete remission has relapsed. No toxic death occurred. Alpha interferon was introduced early after ABMT (2.7 months) and was well tolerated. This strategy may represent an advance in the management of aggressive myeloma.

Adult↗

Autoantibodies to lamins in rheumatoid arthritis.

The presence of autoantibodies reacting with lamins A and C was demonstrated in sera from 2 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). One patient developed antilamin antibodies several years after being diagnosed as having RA; she was also found to have chronic active hepatitis. The second patient had severe nodular RA. We describe the other serologic findings in these 2 patients and discuss the relationships between antilamin antibodies and RA.

Aged↗

[Hip algodystrophy and pregnancy].

We report two cases of algodystrophy of the hip in pregnancy. The principle characteristics of the condition are: the occurrence of the symptoms in the second or third trimester of the pregnancy; and these are more marked on the left than on the right hip and radiological decalcification. MRI is accurate, specific and non invasive and it has largely taken the place of scintigraphy and tomodensitometry in making the diagnosis and in the differential diagnosis of early aseptic necrosis of the femoral head. Recovery always occurs in less than a year without sequelae. The physiopathogenic mechanism still is to be discussed but it does seem that the mechanical factors play a very important role.

Adult↗

[Paget's disease: errors to be avoided].

Paget's disease of bone occurs in elderly people and resembles no other disease. The most frequent diagnostic errors are made when it is discovered in young adults, especially after an injury. Forms with osteolysis of the lower limbs are the most misleading, and it is better to avoid biopsies in such cases, as they may be followed by fractures. In geriatric pathology the failure to recognize that cerebral, spinal cord and cardiac manifestations are due to a specific vascular disorder of pagetic origin is a serious error as it deprives the patient of calcitonin which is the only effective therapy. Errors in the interpretation of laboratory results are easily avoided if a low hydroxyproline diet is prescribed during the week that precedes the tests. The biochemical activity should be correlated with the pagetic bone mass. Histology may wrongly suggest primary hyperparathyroidism, but patients with Paget's disease have no hypercalcaemia unless they are bedridden. Treatment relies on calcitonin and/or disodium etidronate (EHDP). Only 50% of the patients require this treatment the indications of which must carefully be weighed. EHDP may have adverse effects on bones, including fractures and pseudosarcomatous osteolysis, notably when it is given in high doses or for limited and/or osteolytic lesions. Pre and post-operative calcitonin therapy is recommended in patients undergoing surgery.

Adult↗

Thyroid plasmacytoma with dermatomyositis and palmar fasciitis.

A 74-year-old woman with a primary thyroid plasmacytoma was studied. Clinical signs included a mass in the neck, as well as muscle and skin involvement due to dermatomyositis. In her serum a monoclonal IgG lambda was present. Immunohistochemistry showed an intracellular monoclonal IgG lambda component. After thyroid surgery and radiation, clinical improvement and fall of M protein were noted. On longterm followup, only palmar fasciitis persisted.

Aged↗