Sangre
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Spontaneous splenic rupture is an unusual complication of hematologic malignancies with a high mortality rate. We report two cases of non-traumatic splenic rupture: the first one was a patient with myelomonocytic leukaemia and the second one a previously undiagnosed patient with non Hodgkin's lymphoma, both of them survived after splenectomy. Emphasis on the necessity of an early diagnosis and treatment are made.
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To evaluate blood donation as a cause of iron deficiency. ⋯ 1st) Iron deficiency related to blood donation is demonstrated. This deficiency is clearly seen in men after the first blood donations and is more intense in women, as their previous reserves are lower. 2nd) Ferritin is the best marker for estimating iron deposits, and enzymoimmunoassay is the technique of choice as it seems easy to perform and is automatic. 3rd) Determining ferritin levels in the first blood donation seems advisable in order to assess previous deposits and to evaluate yearly the state or iron reserves. 4th) Iron supplement is advisable during the 4 first donations in regular blood donors and in those with iron deficiency, with ferrous sulphate at a dose of 100 mg/day for 10 days.
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Case Reports
[Megaloblastic anemia caused by a congenital deficiency of transcobalamin II. Apropos of a new case].
Megaloblastic anaemia is very rare in the first weeks of life and it is related to impaired metabolism of folic acid or vitamin B12. One of this disorders is the congenital transcobalamin II deficiency. ⋯ Both parents and the child had very low or undetectable levels of serum TC II, respectively. Using i.m. hydroxycobalamin at high doses, the clinical and laboratory responses have been satisfactory.
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Using the data from the GETMON ("Grupo Español de Trasplante de Medula Osea en Niños") we carried out a retrospective analysis of the results of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (alloBMT) compared to autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) in 113 paediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in second remission. Transplants were performed by the following centers, from April 1983 to December 1991: H. Vall d'Hebrón and H. Sant Pau from Barcelona, H. Ramón y Cajal and H. Niño Jesús from Madrid and H. Marqués de Valdecilla from Santander. ⋯ In our experience we observed a better DFS with alloBMT compared with ABMT, overcoat in early relapses, but without significant difference. A higher relapse rate in ABMT group is partially compensated by more early deaths in alloBMT offers a few survival possibilities in patients with medullary relapses whose first remission lasted less than 30 months.