A controversial entity, Eagle's syndrome, is reviewed. After an anatomical description of the maxillo-vertebro-pharyngeal region we summarize the causative, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of the syndrome. Two different conditions are often reported as Eagle's syndrome: one characterized by dysphagia and unilateral pharyngeal pain radiating to the ear and worsened by swallowing; the other characterized by pain in the head and neck region due to compression of the neurovascular structure by an elongated styloid process. The latter also includes typical cranial neuralgias (such as glossopharyngeal neuralgia) and carotidynia. We believe that the term "Eagle's syndrome" is legitimate only in the first case and in those "atypical" painful head and neck conditions related to an elongated styloid process and relieved by styloidectomy. We believe Eagle's syndrome deserves consideration in the International Headache Classification.

On the basis of these results and of the present therapeutic strategies, we propose: bilateral bone marrow biopsy for clinical stages I-II of all NHL; no bone marrow biopsy at disease onset for clinical stages III and IV of A to H histologic subtypes of the WF; unilateral bone marrow biopsy (A-C subtypes of the WF) or bilateral (D-H of the WF), after the regression of extramedullary localizations.

The aim of this phase II trial was to investigate the efficacy of bortezomib plus dexamethasone (Vel-Dex) as induction therapy in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and to define the role of intensification before transplantation. Fifty-seven patients were treated with four courses of Vel-Dex, two cycles of dexamethasone, cyclophosphamide, etoposide and cisplatin (DCEP), and a single autologous transplant. Fourteen patients (25%) went off-study: seven after Vel-Dex, seven after DCEP. All patients yielded high numbers of stem cells (median CD34+ cells 7.5 x 106/kg); 54 of the 57 patients (94%) collected > or =4 x 106/kg CD34+ cells, 60% with a single leukapheresis. The overall response rate (ORR) after Vel-Dex was 86% (70% had a very good partial response [VGPR] or better) regardless of cytogenetic abnormalities and International Staging System stage (ISS). The response at the end of the two DCEP cycles remained unchanged in 35 patients (70%), worsened in 15 (20%), and improved in 5 (10%). Because of the consistent drop-out, the ORR in intention-to-treat analysis decreased significantly from 86% after Vel-Dex to 76% after DCEP, and 73% after transplantation. However, when considering the subset of 43 patients who completed the program, the ORR was 96% (complete response 39%, VGPR 41%, partial response 16%). In conclusion, Vel-Dex produces high response rates, improves stem cell collection, and overcomes the need for intensification before autologous transplantation.

No abstract

Introduction: A phase II multi-center study was performed to investigate the efficacy of Bortezomib with high-dose dexamethasone (Vel-Dex) as induction therapy in multiple myeloma (MM) patients (pts) candidates to high-dose therapy. Methods: Patients were planned to receive 4 courses of Vel-Dex (Bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 i.v. on days 1, 4, 8, 11; oral Dexamethasone 40 mg on days 1–4 and 8–11 every 3 weeks), followed by 2 courses of DCEP 4 weeks apart with stem cell collection, and a single autologous transplant with melphalan 200 mg/m2. Patients were untreated, aged ≤65 years, with Durie-Salmon stage III, II, or I in progression. Criteria of response were: CR: negative serum/urine immunofixation with <5% bone marrow plasmacytosis (BMPC); nCR: positive serum/urine immunofixation with <5% BMPC; VGPR/PR: reduction of at least 90%/50% of serum/urine monoclonal component (MC), and of BMPC. Adverse events (AE) were graded by the NCI-CTC version 3.0. Mann-Whitney U test was used to correlate response and main prognostic parameters. Results: From March 2006 to June 2007, 52 out of the 54 planned pts entered the protocol. Patient characteristics at enrolment were: male/female 33/19; median age 57 years (37–65); IgG/IgA/light-chain 33/9/10 pts; stage III/II/I in progression 44/5/3 pts; ISS I/II/III 21/14/17 pts; cytogenetic analysis showed del 13 in 54%, t (4;14) in 15%. Thirty-nine of 52 enrolled pts are evaluable for efficacy and toxicity after 4 Vel-Dex courses. Six pts were withdrawn (3 for progression, 2 for toxicity, 1 patient withdrew informed consent). Overall response rate (ORR) was 85%, with 67% major responses (CR 33%, nCR 26%, VGPR 8%), PR 18%, stable disease 7%, progression 8%. No statistically significant correlation was found between response and either age, stage, ISS, or unfavorable cytogenetics. Friedman ANOVA (p=0.00001) and Wilcoxon Matched Pairs (p<.05) tests showed a statistically significant progressive decrease of serum MC after each Vel-Dex cycle. Urine MC and serum free light chain ratio showed a strikingly rapid reduction after the first course with no further statistically significant decrease during the following courses. Regarding toxicity, NCI grade 1 or 2 AE were: infection (19), constipation (16), peripheral neuropathy (13), diarrhea (9), gastritis (6), nausea (5). NCI grade 3 AE were: infection (9) with 5 varicella-zoster, peripheral neuropathy (4), cardiac arrhythmia (2). A single grade 4 AE (fatal sepsis) occurred. At the time of this analysis, 25 pts completed the stem cell mobilization phase. All pts collected adequate number of stem cells (median CD34+ cells 6.2x106/kg, range 3.5–18.0x106/kg, median number of collection procedures 1). Discussion: This study shows that Vel-Dex as first line therapy produces high response rates in MM pts (ORR 85%, major response 67%). Toxicity was generally predictable and manageable. Stem cells were successful harvested in all patients. Vel-Dex appears an effective and safe pre-transplant treatment for younger MM patients.