Livedoid Vasculitis in a Patient With Sjogren Syndrome Successfully Treated With Methotrexate.

Introduction: Cutaneous vasculitis occurs in a sizable minority of patients with Sjogren syndrome. In addition, their response to different modalities of therapy is variable. Case Description: We present a case of a 66-year-old female with Sjogren syndrome cutaneous vasculitis in whom combination treatment with Rituximab and Azathioprine failed to show a favorable response. However, methotrexate proved to be an excellent alternative. Discussion: In cutaneous vasculitis, in addition to the necessary local therapy applied to the affected limbs, methotrexate produced a complete response when other treatment modalities failed. Therefore, it may be advisable to use methotrexate to treat cutaneous vasculitis before trying Rituximab. Conclusion: In cutaneous vasculitis associated with Sjogren syndrome, methotrexate can be an early effective therapeutic strategy.

Global Hypertrophic Calcification of Shoulder Joint Capsule.

BACKGROUND: Calcification around the shoulder joint usually occur inside or around the tendons of the rotator cuff. We herein report on a case of global hypertrophic calcification of shoulder joint capsule in a patient with Rheumatoid arthritis. CASE REPORT: An 86 years-old male with a long-standing history of seropositive Rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment for his Rheumatoid arthritis included Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine initially, but due lack of control, adalimumab was added with excellent control of his arthritis. He has progressively experienced an increasing pain and stiffness in his shoulders, in addition to an increasing limitation of shoulder movement. Magnetic Resonance Imaging revealed severe arthritis with remoulding deformity with extensive capsular calcification, intra-articular loose-bodies. DISCUSSION: This phenomenon of calcification of shoulder capsule has not been reported before. The pathophysiology of calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder remains controversial. The calcific deposits consist of poorly-crystallized hydroxyapatite. CONCLUSION: Global hypertrophic calcification of shoulder joint capsule is unique and unreported in the literature. We can postulate that the long-standing inflammation of the synovial lining of the capsules had a major part. Moreover, Diabetes Mellitus, smoking, and repetitive manoeuvres are recognized contributing factors as well for similar conditions. Genetic predisposition seems to play a role as well. We think all those have played part in the development of this unprecedented presentation. Management should be tailored to target specific symptoms for pain, rigidity, and decreasing calcification size. Several options are available, including Kinesiotherapy, electrotherapy modalities, iontophoresis, electroshock wave therapy, and finally surgical approaches for progressive and refractory cases.

Fertility, ovarian failure, and pregnancy outcome in SLE patients treated with intravenous cyclophosphamide in Saudi Arabia.

Intravenous cyclophosphamide (IV CYC) has been and still used for treatment of severe manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease occurring predominantly in women. IV CYC has been shown to predispose patients to ovarian failure and adverse pregnancy outcomes. We studied the impact of prior IV CYC treatment on ovarian function and pregnancy in our SLE patients, in terms of amenorrhea, fertility, and pregnancy outcome over a 26-year period. The study included 535 women (319 married), out of which 188 received IV CYC and 347 did not. Sixty-one patients experienced amenorrhea; the rate of amenorrhea in IV CYC user group (28.2 %; n = 53) was significantly higher than that in non-IV CYC group (3.7 %; n = 8) (P < 0.05). The type of amenorrhea was assessed in 99 women receiving IV CYC. Thirty-four (34.3 %) of them developed amenorrhea which was transient in 21 (21.2 %) and sustained in 13 (13.1 %) women. The older age at the time of receiving IV CYC and its higher cumulative dose were found to be risk factors for amenorrhea. Among married women, 48 of 99 (48.5 %) in IV CYC group conceived 90 pregnancies and 128 of 220 (58.2 %) in non-IV CYC group conceived 293 pregnancies. The rates of abortions, fetal loss, and live births between the two groups were similar; however, women with prior IV CYC had significantly more preterm births. Prior IV CYC was no barrier to conception; pregnancy outcome was favorable but associated with amenorrhea and preterm deliveries.