Solitary bone plasmacytoma of spine with involvement of adjacent disc space: A case report

RationaleSolitary bone plasmacytoma (SBP) is a rare manifestation of plasma cell tumor. Although axial skeleton is the most frequently affected site of SBP, adjacent disc space involvement is rare. Herein we report a case of SBP in thoracic vertebra with involvement of adjacent disc space.Patient concernsA 57-year-old male presented with a 2-year history of intermittent back pain with activity. The patient''s back pain intensity with activity was a score of 5 of the 10-point visual analog scale).Diagnoses and interventionThe patient underwent a posterior fusion procedure from T6 to T10, and an open biopsy of the vertebral lesion confirmed that final diagnosis of SBP. The patient received postoperative radiotherapy with a total of 4000 Gy to the T7–T9 vertebral levels over a 20-day period.OutcomesFollowing radiotherapy, the patient''s pain intensity was reduced to the visual analog scale score of 1 at the 6-month follow-up.LessonsSBP lacks typical clinical symptoms, and the accurate diagnosis before clinical intervention remains challenging. Due to the disc involvement, SBP often manifests as spinal infection. Hence, differential diagnosis in spinal lesions involving the disc should include SBP.     

Early rheumatoid disease. II. Patterns of joint involvement.

Data from the first research clinic visit (Fleming and others, 1976) have been subjected to factor analysis to identify early patterns of joint involvement. Nine patterns emerged. Two patterns, if present early, were found to have prognostic significance. An eventually more severe disease was associated with a pattern of large joint involvement (shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee) and a pattern based on metatarsophalangeal joints I and III.     

Onchocerciasis focus in Colombia: follow-up study after 12 years.

This study is a follow-up of a 1965 investigation of the only known focus of Onchocerca volvulus in Colombia. In the first phase of the current study, 254 persons were examined. Of the 19 individuals found to be infected with O. volvulus, the youngest was a 16-year-old male. Among those included in the 1965 study, 22 were examined again for microfilariae. Two were positive in both studies, 4 were positive in 1965 but negative in 1977 and the remaining 16 were negative on both occasions. The prevalence of infection, based on identification of microfilariae in skin snips, was lower in the current study (7.5%) than the 15.1% recorded 12 years earlier. However, a 50% response to the Mazzotti test (administration of oral diethylcarbamazine) among a limited number of people upstream from the previously identified endemic area suggests that infection with O. volvulus may be quite widespread.     

Hydatid disease of bone: a report of 2 cases

INTRODUCTION: The hydatid cyst of Echinococcus granulosus tends to develop in liver. The primary bone hydatidosis is rare. EXEGISIS: The authors report 2 cases of primary hydatidosis of bone in a 57 year old men and 60 year old diabetic women. The symptoms and signs were not specific. The ultrasound investigation: standard radiography and computed tomographic scan, was suggestive of the lesion. The chest radiograph and the abdominal ultrasound were normal. Serological tests for hydatid disease were positive. The two patients have surgical excision and medical treatment: Albendazole administrated for 6 months. Histologic evidence confirmed the diagnosis. The outcome was good for both patients without recurrence after 2 years. CONCLUSION: Through these 2 cases and a review of the literature, the authors analyse the epidemiological and clinical aspects of bone hydatidosis and discuss the therapeutic procedures.     

Hydatid disease of the heart.

A case of hydatid cyst of the heart is described, in which the diagnosis was made at coronary angiography; a new angiographic sign is described.     

Hydatid disease of the heart.

A case of hydatid cyst of the heart is described, in which the diagnosis was made at coronary angiography; a new angiographic sign is described.     

A prospective study of cardiovascular disease in patients with Type 2 diabetes. 6.3 years of follow-up

OBJECTIVE: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2) is an important cardiovascular risk factor, although hardly any data are available in our country. Therefore, we decided to study the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the related variables with its appearance in a group of patients with DM-2. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: 176 DM-2 patients without CVD at baseline (63.6% women, mean age 54+/-8.9), mean follow-up 6.3 years. We collected data at 6-month intervals concerning new micro- and macrovascular complications, glucose, HbA(1C), lipid profile, and renal function. We analyzed values at baseline and at the end of follow-up. For numeric variables, the mean value during follow-up was calculated. In renal function variables, we also worked out the difference between baseline and final values, considering the time until the first episode of CVD as the independent variable. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used in categorical variables and Cox regression tests for numeric data and also for multivariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, we included significant data in the univariate analysis, excluding those from the end of the follow-up with the aim of having some predictive meaning in our results. RESULTS: New episodes of CVD were detected in 28 patients (15.9%). These events were statistically related with baseline diagnosed hypertension, presence of diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy, HbA(1C), and total cholesterol. Among mean values during follow-up, the association was with HbA(1C), cholesterol, urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and systolic arterial pressure. There was also a relationship of CVD events with the new appearance or worsening of diabetic retinopathy or nephropathy, creatinine and UAER increase and the decrease of GFR and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF), during follow-up. In the multivariate analysis, we found an independent association with the appearance of CVD and mean HbA(1C), mean UAER and the presence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: We have a rather low incidence of CVD in our patients with DM-2. The appearance of CVD is independently related with HbA(1C), the level of UAER, and the presence at baseline of diabetic retinopathy.     

Reduced bone mineral density in early rheumatoid arthritis is associated with radiological joint damage at baseline and after 2 years in women

OBJECTIVE: Data suggest that reduced bone mass may be associated with radiological damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated if patients with reduced bone mineral density (BMD) at onset of RA had more radiological damage at onset and after 2 years than patients with normal BMD. METHODS: BMD at lumbar spine and hip was measured in 204 patients with recent RA at presentation. At baseline and after 2 years, radiographs of hands and forefeet were evaluated according to the Larsen method. At the same time-points, Disease Activity Score (DAS 28) and functional disability (the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire, HAQ) were assessed. RESULTS: The 134 women and 70 men had a mean age of 55 and 61 years, respectively. Reduced bone mass (RBM, Z score < or = 1.0 SD) in at least one site was found in 46.0% of women and 62.5% of men. T and Z scores correlated significantly with Larsen scores both at baseline and after 2 years for the total patient cohort. Calculated separately for the sexes, significant correlations were found only for women. Women but not men with reduced bone mass and osteoporosis had higher Larsen scores at baseline and after 2 years than those without. From a stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis Z score trochanter and baseline C-reactive protein were selected as independent predictors of joint damage, measured as proportion over the median Larsen scores. This model could explain about 25% of the "variance" in outcome (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.27). CONCLUSION: Reduced BMD at onset of RA in women was associated with a higher Larsen score at baseline and after 2 years, indicating that the development of reduced bone mass and joint destruction in RA may have a common pathophysiological mechanism.     

Development of large pseudocysts adjacent to the knee joint in rheumatoid arthritis. Assessment of radiological and histopathological approaches

Abstract

?This study examined the pathogenesis of large pseudocysts adjacent to knee joints in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The radiological and histopathological features of 17 large subarticular pseudocysts in 12 knee joints of 10 patients were analyzed. Nine of the 10 patients were classified as class 2 according to Steinbrocker's functional class. Eight large pseudocysts were located at the lateral femoral condyle, seven were at the proximal part of the tibia, one was at the medial femoral condyle, and one was at the patella. The large pseudocysts were divided into two groups according to whether they did or did not connect with the joint cavity. Serial radiographs revealed that all large pseudocysts in communication with the joint cavity had enlarged gradually over the past several months. They extended from the subarticular area toward the bone marrow. Histopathological findings confirmed that holes allowing communication were located at a transitional zone between the ligament and the hyaline cartilage, and that rheumatoid granulation tissue invaded the large pseudocyst through these holes. The results of this study indicate that large pseudocysts are formed by the extension of articular inflammation. Moreover, repeated extrinsic mechanical stress due to walking and the aggressive inflammatory nature of rheumatoid arthritis play important roles in the formation of large pseudocysts.     

Development of large pseudocysts adjacent to the knee joint in rheumatoid arthritis. Assessment of radiological and histopathological approaches

 This study examined the pathogenesis of large pseudocysts adjacent to knee joints in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The radiological and histopathological features of 17 large subarticular pseudocysts in 12 knee joints of 10 patients were analyzed. Nine of the 10 patients were classified as class 2 according to Steinbrocker's functional class. Eight large pseudocysts were located at the lateral femoral condyle, seven were at the proximal part of the tibia, one was at the medial femoral condyle, and one was at the patella. The large pseudocysts were divided into two groups according to whether they did or did not connect with the joint cavity. Serial radiographs revealed that all large pseudocysts in communication with the joint cavity had enlarged gradually over the past several months. They extended from the subarticular area toward the bone marrow. Histopathological findings confirmed that holes allowing communication were located at a transitional zone between the ligament and the hyaline cartilage, and that rheumatoid granulation tissue invaded the large pseudocyst through these holes. The results of this study indicate that large pseudocysts are formed by the extension of articular inflammation. Moreover, repeated extrinsic mechanical stress due to walking and the aggressive inflammatory nature of rheumatoid arthritis play important roles in the formation of large pseudocysts. Received: April 16, 2001 / Accepted: September 21, 2001     

Psoriatic nail involvement and its relationship with distal interphalangeal joint disease

Psoriatic nail disease and distal interphalangeal (DIP) arthritis both are common manifestations of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Several clinical characteristics are allegedly associated with DIP joint damage, particularly nail psoriasis. However, there is little evidence to substantiate this phenomenon. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between DIP involvement, nail psoriasis and other parameters. A cross-sectional study involved 45 patients from local rheumatology clinic. Four hundred fifty psoriatic fingernails scored, and the radiographs of all these fingers were reviewed to define PsA DIP arthritic changes. 64.4 % patients had nail psoriasis and 35.6 % had DIP arthritis. Univariate analysis identified that swollen joint-count, digits with chronic dactylitis, HLA-B27 status and nail psoriasis were associated with DIP arthritis. Regression model supported that nail disease was the most significant associated factor of DIP arthritis (OR 9.7, p?=?0.05). Nail psoriasis was identified in 40.2 % of digits. Pitting (29.6 %), onycholysis (15.1 %), crumbling (8.2 %), nail bed hyperkeratosis (2.0 %) were noted with the mean modified Nail Psoriasis Severity Index of 0.95 +/?1.68. Among all digits, 57 had DIP arthritis while 393 did not. Within DIP joints with PsA radiological change, 59.6 % had nail disease. Chi-square test with the Bonferroni correction further supported an association between nail psoriasis and DIP involvement with p value of 0.001. Two specific nail subtypes—crumbling and onycholysis—were found to be significantly associated with DIP disease. A significant proportion of PsA patients had nail involvement and DIP arthritis. PsA patients with nail changes may be more susceptible to DIP disease.     

Magnetic resonance imaging assessment of sacroiliac joint involvement in Gaucher's disease.

A young woman with Gaucher's disease experienced acute pain in her right sacroiliac (SI) joint. Although pelvic radiographs and computed tomographic scan showed no significant change in the right SI joint, magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an area of high signal intensity in the iliac part of the right SI joint, and a periosseous collection of blood. This skeletal location is rarely reported in Gaucher's disease; the mechanism of bone crisis is still controversial and our case suggests the occurrence of a bone infarct.     

Sacroiliitis detected by bone scintiscanning: a clinical, radiological, and scintigraphic follow-up study.

Twenty-four patients had abnormal sacroiliac joints detected by quantitative sacroiliac scintigraphy but no radiological evidence of sacroiliitis on original investigation. We studied them again after intervals of 12 to 36 months. Four patients developed radiological change. Two young, HLA B27-positive men had undoubted ankylosing spondylitis, and a young woman had possible ankylosing spondylitis. A middle-aged man had changes that could be attributed to post-traumatic osteoarthrosis. Of the remaining 20 cases 15 had symptoms and signs suggestive of inflammatory disease of the axial skeleton (and peripheral arthropathy in 5 cases). The sexes were affected equally (8 females, 7 males), and only 2 of the 15 were B27-positive. The response to anti-inflammatory medication was generally good to excellent, and scintiscans tended to improve. Of the remaining 5 patients, 3 had mechanical or traumatic problems, and in 2 there was no explanation for the abnormal sacroiliac scintiscan. We conclude that quantitative sacroiliac scintigraphy may detect ankylosing spondylitis prior to the develpment of radiological change and that it can identify an organic basis for backache in patients with a spondylitis-like syndrome. The clinical circumstances must be taken into account, as scintigraphic abnormalities are not diagnostic of any specific disease entity.     

Radiologic assessment of bone and joint disease. I. Magnification radiology

The advantages and limitations of magnification techniques are presented. Optical and geometrical techniques each have their proponents. The geometrical technique has proven valuable in the assessment of trauma, metabolic bone disease, arthritis, osteomyelitis, and neoplasm. It often shows pathology inapparent on conventional radiographs.