Gouty flexor tenosynovitis of the hand mimicking atypical mycobacterial infection

A 50-year-old Japanese fish dealer presented with painful and swollen fingers. Infectious flexor tenosynovitis with Mycobacterium marinum was suspected. Range of motion was restored after tenosynovectomy and after ofloxacin and clarithromycin were administered. Two years after the operation, the patient presented again with acute inflammation in the same fingers. Histopathological examination revealed gouty tenosynovitis. The preconception that mycobacterial infection occurs often in fish dealers caused us to miss the correct diagnosis of gouty tenosynovitis.     

Assessment of both articular synovitis and tenosynovitis by ultrasound is useful for evaluations of hand dysfunction in early rheumatoid arthritis patients

Objectives: We investigated the association between hand dysfunction and ultrasound (US)-detected articular synovitis and tenosynovitis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Thirty RA patients were examined. In both hands of all subjects, articular synovitis and tenosynovitis were assessed by US at 22 joints and 12 tendons. Each joint and tendon was scored by gray-scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) on a scale from 0 to 3. The sums of the GS or PD scores were used as the articular synovitis score and the tenosynovitis score. The sum of the articular synovitis and tenosynovitis scores was used as the combined US score. Hand dysfunction was evaluated by a grip-Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and visual analog scale of morning stiffness (MS-VAS). We used Spearman’s correlation coefficient to determine the relationships among the US scores, the two hand dysfunction indices, and the DAS28-ESR.

Results: The articular synovitis scores were significantly correlated with grip-HAQ (GS: r_s?=?0.47, p?=?0.009, PD: r_s?=?0.48, p?=?0.006), but not with MS-VAS. The tenosynovitis scores were correlated with MS-VAS (GS: r_s?=?0.38, p?=?0.039, PD: r_s?=?0.36, p?=?0.053), but not with grip-HAQ. Both grip-HAQ (GS: r_s?=?0.53, p?=?0.002, PD: r_s?=?0.55, p?=?0.001) and the MS-VAS (GS: r_s?=?0.39, p?=?0.031, PD: r_s?=?0.47, p?=?0.008) were correlated with the combined US scores.

Conclusions: The US scores combined with articular synovitis and tenosynovitis scores well reflect the severity of hand dysfunction in early-stage RA patients.     

痛风患者足踝双能CT尿酸盐结晶沉积特点分析

目的 应用双能CT分析关节周围尿酸盐结晶沉积特点,预测与痛风性关节炎急性发作相关的解剖和形态学特征.方法 选择近期足踝部发作过关节肿和(或)痛患者84例(其中确诊痛风患者68例,无症状高尿酸血症患者1 1例,单纯其他类型关节炎患者5例),入选患者均完成足踝部双能CT检查.应用x2检验及Logistic回归模型分析尿酸盐结晶沉积的解剖、形态学特征与关节炎症急性发作的关系.结果 痛风组共发现278处尿酸盐结晶,最常出现结晶沉积的部位依次为第一趾中远端(18.2％)、第一跖趾关节(16.8％)、跟骨(17.5％)、胫骨下端(11.8％),无症状高尿酸血症组发现34处尿酸盐结晶沉积,分布趋势与痛风组相似.对患者结晶沉积部位与关节炎症急性发作情况进行分析后发现,第一跖趾关节(x2=8.47,P＜0.01)及胫骨下端(x2=3.93,P＜0.05)出现结晶沉积的患者临床上更易出现相应部位关节炎的急性发作.且第一跖趾关节附近的尿酸盐结晶如果沉积于肌腱(x2=5.03,P＜0.05)或软组织(x2=5.19,P＜0.05)中,更易引起痛风性关节炎;而对于踝关节周围的尿酸盐结晶,如果其沉积于踝关节伸面(x2=4.42,P＜0.05)或呈点状(x2=4.76,P＜0.05)或为多个(x2=4.97,P＜0.05)则更易出现关节炎症发作.并且Logistic多元回归分析结果也提示,痛风性关节炎急性发作有潜在的危险因素.结论 双能CT可以清晰显示尿酸盐结晶,有助于痛风的诊断及随防研究.尿酸盐结晶沉积的部位、形状、大小、数量以及受累部位是否伴有软组织肿胀、骨侵蚀等因素,对痛风性关节炎的急性发作有影响.     

双能量CT对痛风的诊断价值

目的 评价双能量CT对痛风的诊断价值.方法 对试验组的25例痛风患者双侧足部、踝关节、膝关节、手部、腕关节及肘关节行双能量CT扫描成像,统计尿酸盐结晶沉积病灶数,对出现临床症状的关节行X线检查.对患者四肢关节进行临床体检,统计临床病灶数目及部位.对照组的20例类风湿关节炎(RA)患者的受累关节及对侧关节行双能量CT扫描成像.同时检测所有患者的血尿酸、血肌酐、总胆固醇及甘油三酯水平.对比2组患者双能量CT检查结果与X线及临床体检之间的差异.统计学处理采用t检验和x2检验.结果 双能量CT检查中各关节发现病灶的病例数及比例分别为足部及踝关节23例(92％),膝关节17例(68％)、手与腕关节3例(12％)及肘关节1例(4％),足部及踝关节受累患者最多(P＜0.05).尿酸盐沉积病灶共184处,其中足与踝关节、膝关节、手与腕关节及肘关节的病灶数分别为107处(58.2％)、72处(39.1％)、4处(2.2％)、1处(0.5％),足部及踝关节中尿酸盐沉积病灶数最多(P＜0.01).临床统计病灶数为64处,仅占双能量CT发现病灶数的34.8％,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.01).而X线检查仅6例患者发现骨质破坏等非特异性改变.试验组患者血尿酸、血肌酐及甘油三酯水平较对照组明显增高,差异具有统计学意义(P值分别为＜0.01,＜0.05,＜0.05).结论 双能量CT对痛风的诊断有重要的临床价值.     

Effect of urate‐lowering therapy on the velocity of size reduction of tophi in chronic gout

Objective

The optimal serum urate levels necessary for elimination of tissue deposits of monosodium urate in patients with chronic gout is controversial. This observational, prospective study evaluates the relationship between serum urate levels during therapy and the velocity of reduction of tophi in patients with chronic tophaceous gout.

Method

Sixty‐three patients with crystal‐confirmed tophaceous gout were treated with allopurinol, benzbromarone, or combined therapy to achieve serum uric acid levels less than the threshold for saturation of urate in tissues. The tophi targeted for evaluation during followup were the largest in diameter found during physical examination.

Results

Patients taking benzbromarone alone or combined allopurinol and benzbromarone therapy achieved faster velocity of reduction of tophi than patients taking allopurinol alone. The velocity of tophi reduction was linearly related to the mean serum urate level during therapy. The lower the serum urate levels, the faster the velocity of tophi reduction.

Conclusion

Serum urate levels should be lowered enough to promote dissolution of urate deposits in patients with tophaceous gout. Allopurinol and benzbromarone are equally effective when optimal serum urate levels are achieved during therapy. Combined therapy may be useful in patients who do not show enough reduction in serum urate levels with single‐drug therapy.

     

Excellent response to the clinical treatment of tophaceous gout

Gout continues to be a health problem around the world, and the treatment may turn into a real challenge when the patient presents a certain degree of chronic renal failure (CRF). We discuss a case of tophaceous gout in a 68-year-old male patient without urolithiasis and with uric acid (UA) underexcretion and CRF (creatinine clearance of 42 ml/min). Uricosuric treatment with benzbromarone and urinary alkalinization was administered, and acute gouty attacks improved substantially. Subsequently, allopurinol was added to the treatment to accelerate tophi reduction in the hands, feet, elbows and knees. After 30 months of treatment, serum UA declined from 10 to 3.2 mg/dl. Urinary UA excretion of 0.44 g/24 h in the baseline rose to 0.85 g/24 h, returning to the baseline value after 30 months. UA clearance tripled, rising from 3.05 ml/min before treatment to 9.48 ml/min, and remained at this level. It is worth stressing that even in cases of severe tophaceous gout, the response to clinical treatment may be satisfactory with substantial reduction of tophi and full acute gouty attack remission even in patients presenting a certain degree of CRF.     

普罗布考对实验性大鼠急性痛风性关节炎的防治

目的探讨普罗布考防治痛风性关节炎的可行性及机制。方法于大鼠单侧踝关节腔内注射尿酸钠晶体建立急性痛风性关节炎模型,观察普罗布考干预后关节炎症、肿胀指数及关节液白细胞计数和白细胞介素1β的变化。用尿酸盐晶体刺激人单核细胞,普罗布考干预18h后检测培养液中白细胞介素1β的浓度。结果普罗布考各剂量组关节炎症肿胀指数下降幅度由低剂量向高剂量依次增加,与模型组比较,72h时中高剂量组下降程度较明显(P<0.05),关节液白细胞计数和白细胞介素1β的含量均有不同程度的下降。普罗布考中高剂量组关节液白细胞计数较模型组下降明显(P<0.01,P<0.001),普罗布考高剂量组白细胞介素1β较模型组下降明显(P<0.05)。普罗布考各剂量组对单核细胞分泌白细胞介素1β无抑制作用。结论中高剂量的普罗布考可以有效的控制大鼠急性痛风性关节炎的发作,其疗效具有一定的剂量依赖性,但其不是通过直接抑制单核细胞摄取尿酸盐晶体分泌白细胞介素1β来起作用。     

Temporal evolution of urate crystal deposition over articular cartilage after successful urate-lowering therapy in patients with gout: An ultrasonographic perspective

Objective: To detect evolution of ultrasonographic signs of deposition of monosodium urate crystals (MSUC) in gouty joints by serial ultrasonography after initiation of urate-lowering therapy (ULT).

Methods: Adult gout patients were examined by serial ultrasonography after initiation of ULT with target serum uric acid (SUA) Results: Thirty-eight male patients with gout with mean age of 50?±?11?years, median disease duration of 48 months and baseline mean SUA level of 8.8?±?1.5?mg/dL were recruited. Ultrasonographic evidence of MSUC deposition was detected in 89.74% of first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints and 27.63% of knee joints. Double contour sign (DCS), tophi, and hyperechoic spots (HES) were detected in 77.63%, 43.42%, and 19.74% of first MTPs, respectively. SUA level normalizes and plateaus after fourth month of follow-up. DCS thickness reduced significantly throughout the follow-up period. Overall, 86.25% DCS and 100% HES disappeared with median time of 6 months and 5.7 months, respectively. SUA normalization was the only significant predictor of DCS disappearance.

Conclusions: Serial ultrasonographic determination of DCS, tophi, or HES during hypouricemic therapy is a noninvasive, effective method to detect the lowering of burden of urate load in gouty joints.     

Mycobacterium chelonae tenosynovitis of the hand

OBJECTIVE: Tenosynovitis of the hand due to atypical mycobacteria is an uncommon condition. We present a case of tenosynovitis of the hand due to Mycobacterium chelonae in a patient without a recognized penetrating injury, who was treated successfully with clarithromycin and antituberculous medications and without debridement. We reviewed the available literature to summarize the experience with this infectious entity. METHODS: Case report and review of the literature (MEDLINE 1976-2003). Only cases that were sufficiently detailed were included. RESULTS: Twelve cases of upper extremity infection due to M. chelonae have been reported: hand tenosynovitis in most and arthritis in a few. These infections resulted from percutaneous inoculation or hematogenous seeding. The clinical course was indolent initially but insidiously destructive. Previously, treatment always included surgical excision of the infected tissues and antibiotic therapy. This is the first case of M. chelonae musculoskeletal infection that resolved with only antimicrobial therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal infections by nontuberculous mycobacteria are clinically indistinguishable from those of tuberculosis and diagnosis is usually delayed. Prompt diagnosis of atypical mycobacteria with appropriate antimicrobial treatment may avoid the need for surgical debridement. Relevance We recommend a trial of antibiotics for M. chelonae before surgical debridement.     

Treatment of flexor tenosynovitis of the hand ('trigger finger') with corticosteroids. A prospective study of the response to local injection

We developed a protocol to maximize medical therapy for "trigger finger." Fifty-eight patients with 77 episodes of flexor tenosynovitis of the hand that was resistant to rest, therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and/or splinting were treated with single or multiple injections of depo-methylprednisolone acetate or triamcinolone acetonide. Patients were prospectively followed up for an average of 4.6 years. Results showed that symptoms and signs resolved in 61% after a single injection. Recurrent episodes, after prolonged pain-free intervals, occurred in 27% and were effectively re-treated with injection. In 12% of cases, either injection failed or early recurrence required surgical release. Local adverse reactions to injection, including pain at the injection site, stiffness, ecchymosis, or atrophy of subcutaneous fat, were self-limited. No episodes of postinjection infection or tendon rupture occurred. The medical management of flexor tenosynovitis with local corticosteroid injection(s) is effective in nearly 90% of cases and is free from serious adverse reactions.     

Metastatic tumors in the hand from adenocarcinoma of the colon

Osseous metastases to the hand are rare. The primary site is usually in the lung, breast, or kidney. Two cases of metastatic tumor in the hand from adenocarcinoma of the colon are reported herein. These patients presented two and four years after initial resections of colonic carcinomas. General aspects of diagnosis, etiology, and management are discussed.     

Multicentric diffuse-type giant cell tumor of the hand

Diffuse-type giant cell tumor (D-TGCT) is relatively rare. We report a case of multicentric D-TGCT located in the finger and wrist. A 79-year-old man presented with a more than two-year history of tumors. Marginal resection was performed. Histological study of the specimens disclosed D-TGCT. Recurrence occurred two years and five months postoperatively and was again excised. Clinical presentation, radiological features and histopathological findings are discussed with reference to the literature.     

Impact of improving glove usage on the hand hygiene compliance

We assessed the impact of improving glove using on the hand hygiene (HH) compliance in a multicenter study including 9 chronic care settings. If gloves had been used correctly during the evaluation, the overall compliance with HH measured after contacts with patients or environment would have only increased from 66.3% to 68.7%. This weak impact suggests that improving glove usage is not in itself an alternative strategy to improve HH compliance.