Long term inhibition of hip joint damage under tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors in spondyloarthritis.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of long-term treatment with TNF blockers on the radiographic progression of hip disease in spondyloarthritis (SpA). This retrospective multicentric cohort study included 2 groups of patients with SpA and hip involvement. Patients of group 1 were treated with anti-TNF alpha for at least 2 years, whereas those of group 2 were anti-TNF-naïve patients. Clinical, laboratory and radiologic parameters were assessed at baseline and after at least 2 years. Groups 1 and 2 included respectively 48 and 46 patients. The radiological features of hip disease were comparable between the two groups at baseline. The second evaluation was performed after an average duration of 4.1 ± 2.9 years [2-10] in group 1 and 4.8 ± 2.1 years [2-14] in group 2 (p = 0.116). The absence of hip structural damage was more frequently found in group 1 (72 hips vs 52, p < 0.0001, odds ratio [OR] = 4.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.1-10.4). The better outcome in group 1 remained significant even after adjusting for BASDAI (p < 0.05, (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.2-9.2), BASFI (p < 0.0001, aOR = 3.1, 95% CI = 1.1-8.9), and CRP (p < 0.01, aOR = 4.2, 95% CI = 1.8-9.8). Our finding suggests that anti-TNF therapy may inhibit hip joint damage in patients with SpA.

Reparative radiological changes of hip joint after TNF inhibitors in ankylosing spondylitis.

BACKGROUND: Hip involvement in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common extraspinal arthritic manifestation, which is associated to a worse functional outcome. Little data are available on the effectiveness of conservative treatment strategies. The TNF inhibitors have been proven effective on AS activity parameters. Their structural effect on hip disease however, little is studied. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe four new cases of reparative changes of a damaged hip joint after treatment with TNF inhibitors. The average of age was 32.5 (27- 36) years. There were 3 men and 1 woman. Hip involvement was bilateral in all cases. Etanercept was prescribed in 3 cases and infliximab in 1 case. At baseline, all patients had a painful and limited hip with high disease activity and an important functional impairment. After an average of 5.5 years of treatment with TNF inhibitors, the BASRI hip evaluated in antero-posterior x-rays of the pelvis remained unchanged at 2.4. The average of mean hip joint space was 2.9mm (2.3-3.6). A widening in hip joint space was observed in all cases with less subchondral cysts. CONCLUSION: TNF inhibitors seem to be effective on hip joint disease in patients with AS.

Bone metastasis as the first sign of gastric cancer.

The skeleton is a common metastatic site for visceral carcinomas. However, the presentation of gastric cancer as bony metastases without preceding gastrointestinal symptoms is rare which has been infrequently reported in the literature. We report an infrequent case of a 60-year-old patient diagnosed having a gastric carcinoma with bone metastasis as the first evidence. She has consulted with worsening backache which started two months priorly.

[Contribution of dynamic radiographs in atlantoaxial subluxation in rheumatoid arthritis]. / Apport des radiographies dynamiques dans la subluxation atloïdo-axoïdienne au cours de la polyarthrite rhumatoïde.

BACKGROUND: Cervical spine (CS) involvement is common during rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and it is distinguished by its potential gravity. AIM: To determinate the occurrence of atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) by dynamic incidences X-Ray and to assess its predictive factors. METHODS: Our study included a cohort of 40 patients carrying RA, who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology criteria, for more than 2 years. All patients had a complete physical and laboratory evaluation. Radiological evaluation included CS radiographs in anteroposterior, lateral, and lateral in full flexion and extension views. RESULTS: The occurrence of CS involvement was about 47.5% by XRay dominated by AAS which found in 42,5% of the cases. Among AAS, anterior AAS was the most frequent with a prevalence of 22,5% followed by lateral AAS in 12,5% then vertical and rotatory AAS in 10% of cases each one and posterior AAS in 2,5% of the cases. Comparison between patients with and without CS involvement indicated the presence of two predictive factors: the sharp modified score and the C - reactive protein (p=0.002 and p=0.004 respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that AAS is frequent in RA particularly in active forms with structural lesions. AAS can be asymptomatic, for this reason systematic diagnosis by X-Ray with dynamic views is important.

Compared imaging of the rheumatoid cervical spine: prevalence study and associated factors.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical spine involvement is common and potentially severe in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objectives of this study were to compare the prevalences of cervical spine abnormalities detected by standard radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with RA; and to identify factors associated with cervical spine involvement. METHODS: We studied 40 patients who met American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA and had disease durations of 2 years or more. Each patient underwent a physical examination, laboratory tests, standard radiographs (anteroposterior, lateral, open-mouth, flexion, and extension views), MRI with dynamic maneuvers in (if not contraindicated), and CT. RESULTS: Cervical spine involvement was found by at least one imaging technique in 29 (72.5%) patients (standard radiography, 47.5%; CT, 28.2%; and MRI, 70%) and was asymptomatic in 5 (17.2%) patients. C1-C2 pannus was the most common lesion (62.5% of cases), followed by atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS, 45%). The most common AAS pattern was anterior subluxation (25%), followed by lateral subluxation (15%) then by vertical, rotatory, and subaxial subluxations (10% each). Erosions of the dens were seen in 67.5% of patients by MRI, 41% by CT, and 12.5% by standard radiography. Of the 10 cases of anterior AAS by any modality, 9 were detected by standard radiography and 7 by MRI. CT was the best technique for visualizing atypical rotatory or lateral AAS. MRI was best for assessing the C1-C2 pannus, dens erosions, and neurologic impact of the rheumatoid lesions. The comparison of patients with and without cervical spine lesions suggested that higher modified Sharp score and C-reactive protein values predicted cervical spine involvement (P=0.002 and P=0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION: Cervical spine involvement is common and may be asymptomatic, indicating that routine cervical spine imaging is indicated in patients with RA. Standard radiography including dynamic views constitutes the first-line imaging method of choice. Sensitivity and comprehensiveness of the assessment are greatest with MRI. MRI and CT are often reserved for selected patients. Cervical spine involvement is associated with disease activity and with rapidly progressive joint destruction.

Complete reversal of tumoral calcinosis after subtotal parathyroidectomy in a hemodialysis patient.

INTRODUCTION: Tumoral calcinosis is a rare complication of chronic hemodialysis whose mechanism is incompletely understood. The treatment is challenging and should target the main precipitating factors, most notably secondary hyperparathyroidism and calcium-phosphate (Ca x P) product elevation. CASE REPORT: In this 41-year-old patient, tumoral calcinosis developed in the right hip and subacromial bursa of the right shoulder after 3 years of chronic hemodialysis. Laboratory tests showed hyperparathyroidism with Ca x P elevation. Subtotal parathyroidectomy was performed. Eight months later, there was no evidence of tumoral calcinosis at either of the previously affected sites. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of parathyroidectomy in our patient underlies the key role played by secondary hyperparathyroidism in the pathogenesis of tumoral calcinosis complicating hemodialysis.