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Objective To evaluate the survival of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) recorded in the Belgian SCD Registry and to assess the impact of disease‐modifying treatments (DMT). Method The Registry created in 2008 included patients of eight centers. All available data in 2008 were retrospectively encoded in the database. After 2008 and until 2012, all data were recorded prospectively for already registered patients as well as newly diagnosed subjects. Data were registered from neonatal screening or from diagnosis (first contact) until last follow‐up or death. Data included diagnosis, demography, and outcome data. Results We collected data from 469 patients over a 5,110 patient years (PY) follow‐up period. The global mortality rate was low (0.25/100 PY), although 13 patients died (2.8%) and was similar between children, adolescents (10–18 years), and young adults (P = 0.76). Out of the cohort, 185 patients received hydroxyurea at last follow‐up (median duration of treatment: 10.3 years), 90 underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), 24 were chronically transfused, and 170 had never had any DMT. Hydroxyurea showed significant benefit on patients outcome as reflected by a lower mortality rate compared to transplanted individuals or people without DMT (0.14, 0.36, and 0.38 per 100 PY, respectively) and by higher Kaplan–Meier estimates of 15 year survival (99.4%) compared to HSCT (93.8%; P = 0.01) or no DMT groups (95.4%; P = 0.04). Conclusion SCD mortality in Belgium is low with no increase observed in young adults. Patients treated with hydroxyurea demonstrate a significant benefit in survival when compared to those without DMT or transplanted. Pediatr Blood Cancer © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Based on the clinical presentations and the analysis of the literature, the authors describe the clinical features of the cervical anterior form of DISH presenting with ENT symptoms. The diagnosis and conservative therapeutic, and surgical management of anterior cervical hyperostosis based on ongoing gradual solutions are described.

Most neoplasms of the nail apparatus have different clinical appearances, courses, and biological behaviors as compared with similar tumors located elsewhere on the skin. Some of these tumors are unique to the nail, such as onychomatricoma. As a general rule, benign lesions respect the general architecture of the nail apparatus, whereas malignant ones are destructive. Our review covers the most common nail tumors, from benign ones to the most frequent nail malignancy, the squamous cell carcinoma, which actually is the greatest simulator. We will also discuss new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma of the nail apparatus. Physicians should be aware of these conditions and their management.