Treatment of Macroglobulinaemia

Deafness due to Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia

“…If the concentration of the macroglobulin is brought below this critical level all the bleeding manifestations could be stopped. Conway and Walker (1962) were able to improve or even stop the bleeding symptoms by repeated plasmaphoresis. This is in agreement with our results where the prompt institution of plasmaphoresis in an attempt to produce rapid drop in the serum macroglobulin concentration cleared up the gross retinal haemorrhages, saved the patient's vision, and corrected the haemostatic failure.…”

Cellular magnesium levels and the use of penicillamine in the treatment of Huntington's chorea.

“…A full blood count was performed and the urine tested for albumin. These were repeatedfortnightly throughout the trial, since adverse side effects have been noted, e.g., nephrosis (Adams, Goldman, Maxwell, and Latta, 1964) and leucopenia and agranulocytosis (Corcos, Saler-Bechara, Mayer, Freyberg, Goldstein, and Jaffe, 1964;Conway and Walker, 1962) in patients with Wilson's disease on long-term treatment. The patients were also given pyridoxine 50 mg. daily throughout the trial since penicillamine has been noted to have an anti-pyridoxine effect in man (Jaffe, Altman, and Merryman, 1964 Magnesium levels in the cells and serum of both patients with Huntington's chorea and control groups were all within normal limits (Tables III and IV).…”

Treatment of Malignant Diseases Associated with Gamma Globulin Abnormalities

“…(c) Removal of macroglobulin by plasmapheresis: Removal of macroglobulin from the body can be achieved by plasmapheresis, although the protein will accumulate again, and therefore to obtain any long-term benefit it has to be repeated at weekly intervals. Plasmapheresis is certainly useful in an emergency when there is severe cardiac failure or retinopathy, both of which may resolve completely after the concentration of macroglobulin in the serum k reduced , Conway & Walker 1962. Conway & Walker (1962) adopted the simple technique of taking blood from the patient into citrate, and then inverting the bottle.…”

“…Plasmapheresis is certainly useful in an emergency when there is severe cardiac failure or retinopathy, both of which may resolve completely after the concentration of macroglobulin in the serum k reduced , Conway & Walker 1962. Conway & Walker (1962) adopted the simple technique of taking blood from the patient into citrate, and then inverting the bottle.…”