Retroperitoneal fibrosis secondary to spondylodiscitis after infection with Prevotella.

We report a case of severe retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) secondary to lumbar spondylodiscitis caused by infection with Prevotella resolving after antibiotic therapy. Infection is an unusual cause of RPF, and infection in such cases with this anaerobic bacterium has never been described.

Isolated thoracic spine lesion: is this the presentation of a SAPHO syndrome? A case report.

A case of an isolated lesion of the thoracic spine attributed to SAPHO syndrome is presented. A 51-year-old man was referred for inflammatory pain in the thoracic spine. The general examination was normal (especially cutaneous and rheumatologic examinations). Laboratory analysis showed only a mild inflammatory reaction. Standard radiographs showed partial condensation of T8. Computed tomography showed osteolysis of the anterior corner of T8, and MRI revealed an abnormal signal of T8, with enlargement of the prevertebral soft tissue. Percutaneous and thoracoscopic biopsies showed a nonspecific inflammatory process, and cultures were sterile. Initially, several diagnoses were advanced: infectious spondylitis, malignant tumor, lymphomas, Paget disease, seronegative spondyloarthropathies and finally atypical SAPHO syndrome. Three months later, the patient experienced more pain. General examination was still normal. The radiological findings worsened, while the inflammatory blood tests were normal. A new thoracoscopic biopsy revealed a nonspecific inflammatory process. A diagnosis of SAPHO syndrome was made, despite the lack of typical lesions. Dramatically improving with anti-inflammatory therapy, the patient's condition was favorable at 3-year follow-up. This atypical presentation of an isolated lesion in the spine makes the diagnosis of a SAPHO syndrome difficult but possible. Spine surgeons must be aware of this rare entity, to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary repeated surgical biopsies.

Specific cardiomyopathy in lupus patients: report of three cases.

Clinically important myocarditis is an unusual feature in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report three consecutive lupus patients over a 1 year period who developed severe left ventricular dysfunction in the absence of coronary artery disease or hypertensive cardiomyopathy. Two of them had clinical and biological flare of the disease whereas the lupus was quiescent in the latter. Two of them had positive IgG anticardiolipin antibodies. High dose steroids were given in two patients; one of them also required cyclophosphamide on account of diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis. Left ventricular function improved quickly and markedly in these two patients; one of them had recurrence of severe myocarditis at intervals of 6 years and was each time responsive to steroids. Lupus cardiomyopathy, a rare event in the course of SLE, can be related to the disease even in the absence of coronary artery disease or hypertensive cardiomyopathy. It may be improved by steroids and immunosuppressive therapy. Literature concerning this cardiac manifestation in lupus is reviewed.

Treatment of multiple myeloma.

Conventional chemotherapies are no longer the only treatment in multiple myelomatosis. High-dose chemotherapy and autologous transplantation are not curative but do increase relapse-free survival time in young patients. Thalidomide is efficacious in refractory and relapsing myeloma and its evaluation is going on. Curative and preventive treatments of skeletal events, infections and anemia improve quality of life. All together, these strategies imply therapeutic knowledge and choices but allow an about 5-year-long median survival time in modern studies. Treatment options for myeloma now include, not only conventional chemotherapy regimens, but also novel symptomatic drugs and strategies that increase survival and/or quality of life, although they fail to provide a cure. In parallel with this expansion of the treatment armamentarium, physicians must acquire the knowledge needed to select the best treatment for the individual patient. After reviewing the rationale, effectiveness, and safety of each of these treatments, we will discuss the indications that we believe are legitimate.