Priapism and multiple myeloma. Successful treatment with plasmapheresis

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Urology

Background:

• Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell malignancy.
• Hyperviscosity syndrome can complicate hematological disorders.
• Priapism is a prolonged erection, often painful and unrelated to sexual stimulation.

Observation:

• A sixty-year-old Black male presented with priapism.
• The patient had a concurrent diagnosis of multiple myeloma.
• Laboratory findings indicated hyperviscosity.

Findings:

• Plasmapheresis, a procedure to remove plasma, effectively treated the hyperviscosity.
• Successful treatment of hyperviscosity led to the resolution of priapism.
• Chemotherapy targeting multiple myeloma prevented the recurrence of priapism.

Implications:

• This case highlights the association between multiple myeloma, hyperviscosity, and priapism.
• It demonstrates the efficacy of plasmapheresis in managing priapism secondary to hyperviscosity.
• Effective management of the underlying multiple myeloma is crucial for long-term priapism prevention.