Use of sidestream dark-field (SDF) imaging for assessing the effects of high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation on oral mucosal microcirculation in myeloma patients

Background Oral mucositis (OM) is a common toxic side effect among patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy (CT) with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for hematologic malignancies. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in submucosal microcirculation in myeloma patients receiving high-dose CT with ASCT by assessing capillary density and microvascular structural integrity. Methods Ten consecutive patients with multiple myeloma who underwent first-time CT treatment with high-dose melphalan (200 mg/m2 ) and ASCT were included in this study. Baseline buccal mucosa capillary density, expressed as the mean number of capillaries ± SD per mm2 (cpll/mm2 ), was measured with sidestream dark-field imaging after treatment was performed, after 30 and 60 minutes, and then on days 2, 4, 6, 8, and 14. A linear mixed model was used to examine capillary density over time and a P value of