Multiple myeloma is a malignant tumor of the hematological system. Early diagnosis is difficult, often resulting in detection at an advanced stage, with a poor prognosis. We report a female patient diagnosed with kappa light chain multiple myeloma who initially exhibited generalized muscle aches and bone pain. Comprehensive evaluations, including serum protein electrophoresis, immunofixation electrophoresis, positron emission tomography/computed tomography, bone marrow cell morphology, immunophenotyping of lymphomas, karyotyping of bone marrow chromosomes, gene detection related to multiple myeloma using next‐generation sequencing, fluorescence in situ hybridization, pathological evaluation of renal and bone marrow biopsies, and other relevant examinations, confirmed the diagnosis of kappa light chain multiple myeloma. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was made late in the disease course, leading to a poor prognosis, and the patient's family requested treatment discontinuation. Early screening of monoclonal protein is crucial to improve patient outcomes.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease globally and presents a significant challenge to the aging population of China. Early diagnosis and intervention are core to delaying disease progression; however, the early stages of AD manifest in subtle behavioral changes and are difficult to detect. The pathophysiological mechanisms of AD are characterized by amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition and abnormal tau protein phosphorylation. Current detection methods, such as positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, are limited in clinical application because of high costs and the invasive nature of CSF collection. Consequently, blood biomarkers of AD are urgently sought because they are minimally invasive and cost effective. Biochemical mass spectrometry methods, such as immunoprecipitation‐mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry can precisely detect low‐abundance biomarkers. These platforms boast sensitivities at the femtogram/milliliter level with specificities exceeding 99%, and are capable of simultaneously quantifying multiple markers. For example, the plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio [area under the curve = 0.967] and plasma p‐tau217 [correlation coefficient with CSF = 0.891] have demonstrated diagnostic performance comparable to PET/CSF but at a fifth to one tenth of the cost, making them viable diagnostic markers for AD. This review examines the significance and the domestic and international research status of AD blood biomarkers based on biochemical mass spectrometry platforms, and outlines the challenges and prospects for their future clinical application.

Disseminated tuberculosis (TB) is a severe form of TB associated with high mortality typically occurring in individuals with impaired host defenses. It results from the lymphohematogenous dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from the primary infection site. Diagnosis can be particularly challenging when pulmonary symptoms are absent. We present a case of disseminated TB in a 73‐year‐old woman who presented with nausea, poor appetite, and low‐grade fever. Imaging studies revealed multiple lesions in the lungs, sacroiliac joints, and brain. The nonspecific nature of her initial symptoms, which were inconsistent with the extent of disease involvement, posed significant diagnostic challenges. In this case, metagenomic next‐generation sequencing played a pivotal role in confirming the diagnosis of disseminated TB.