Bone densitometry in patients with multiple myeloma.
OBJECTIVE
We performed dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in 10 selected patients with aggressive multiple myeloma in whom substantial tumor mass reduction was achieved after high-dose chemoradiotherapy followed by autologous blood stem cell transplantation.


RESULTS
In most cases, bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine was initially low (Mean Z score: -2.69, SEM 0.76) and dramatically increased after treatment (mean increase 16.4%; 7.7% with 95% confidence interval 2.2 to 12.2, excluding one patient whose spine BMD increased by 94.8%). In contrast, skeletal roentgenograms, computed tomographic scans, and magnetic resonance imaging did not reveal any significant improvement of patients' bone lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with multiple myeloma, bone densitometry could be a useful way to assess the efficacy of treatment on bone status.
Mariette
X
X
Service d'Immuno-hématologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.
Khalifa
P
P
Ravaud
P
P
Frija
J
J
Laval-Jeantet
M
M
Chastang
C
C
Brouet
J C
JC
Fermand
J P
JP
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000592:standards*; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016913:Blood Component Transfusion / Q000592:standards; D001804:Blood Transfusion, Autologous / Q000592:standards; D015519:Bone Density; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000592:standards; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation