Brown tumor of the spine revealing secondary hyperparathyroidism. Report of a case.

Brown tumors are classic skeletal manifestations of hyperparathyroidism usually seen in severe forms with subperiosteal bone resorption. They are exceedingly rare at the spine. We report the case of a woman on hemodialysis who developed two brown tumors, including one at the spine, as the first manifestations of secondary hyperparathyroidism. There were no neurologic manifestations. The clinical and radiologic abnormalities resolved after parathyroidectomy preceded by a bisphosphonate infusion to prevent possible spinal lysis progression during the immediate postoperative period. In addition to the location of one of the brown tumors at the spine, unusual features in this case were the explosive onset of hyperparathyroidism and the absence of detectable subperiosteal resorption. We also suggest that bisphosphonate therapy given before parathyroidectomy may be useful in patients with spinal brown tumors.

[Arthropathies of patients on hemodialysis for more than 10 years: retrospective study]. / Les arthropathies des malades hémodialysés depuis plus de 10 ans: étude rétrospective.

Joint problems have been retrospectively analyzed in 10 uremic patients (mean age, 61.9 years; range, 50-70) undergoing long-term hemodialysis treatment for more than 10 years. All the patients suffered from arthralgias which were mainly localized in the shoulder region (9 patients). The arthralgias began 2-9 years after the initiation of intermittent hemodialysis. Eight out of the 10 patients had the carpal tunnel syndrome. Only three patients had evidence of marked secondary hyperparathyroidism but nine had aluminum intoxication. Juxta-articular calcium deposits were observed in 8 patients one of whom had pseudo-tumoral calcifications made of hydroxyapatite crystals. These soft tissue calcium deposits occurred 1-8 years after starting hemodialysis. Conspicuous X-ray abnormalities were found in 8 patients: destructive arthropathy in 5 cases, arthropathies of large joints in 5 cases consisting of sub-chondral lacunae and joint space narrowing or even disappearance. Prosthetic joint replacement was required in 4 patients: replacement of the hip in 3 and of the knee in 1. Massive amyloid deposits could be demonstrated in removed joints of 3 patients and in carpal tunnel of the 7 patients operated upon. They were located in the synovium, articular capsula and juxta-articular epiphyseal bone. It is probable that this is a new type of amyloidosis made of beta 2-microglobulin. The underlying pathogenetic mechanisms of these arthropathies remain to be defined by further studies.