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Clinical Case Reports Jun 2023Osteitis Condensans Illi (OCI) is an underrecognized cause of low back pain involving iliac bones with relative sparing of sacroiliac joint. We present a case of...
Osteitis Condensans Illi (OCI) is an underrecognized cause of low back pain involving iliac bones with relative sparing of sacroiliac joint. We present a case of 48-year-old female who was diagnosed as a case of OCI after having back symptoms for 4 years.
PubMed: 37305862
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.7471 -
BMC Rheumatology Jun 2023The inability to assess structural changes in facet joints is a limitation of established radiographic scoring systems for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We compared...
BACKGROUND
The inability to assess structural changes in facet joints is a limitation of established radiographic scoring systems for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We compared radiographic evidence of ankylosis in cervical facet joints and cervical vertebral bodies in patients with AS.
METHODS
We analysed longitudinal data collected from 1106 AS patients and assessed 4984 spinal radiographs obtained up to 16 years of follow-up. Comparisons between cervical facet joints and cervical vertebral bodies focused on the presence of ankylosis, which was defined by at least one facet joint exhibiting complete ankylosis (according to the method of de Vlam) or at least one vertebral body with a bridging syndesmophyte (according to the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score [mSASSS]). Ankylosis was assessed over time using spinal radiographs collected during follow-up periods stratified in 4-year increments.
RESULTS
Patients with cervical facet joint ankylosis had higher cervical mSASSS, sacroiliitis grades, and inflammatory markers, with more prevalent hip involvement and uveitis. Overall, the numbers of spinal radiographs indicating ankylosis were comparable between cervical facet joints (17.8%) and cervical vertebral bodies (16.8%), and they usually presented together (13.5%). We observed similar proportions of radiographs with ankylosis only in cervical facet joints (4.3%) and cervical vertebral bodies (3.3%). As damage progressed, configurations with both cervical facet joint ankylosis and bridging syndesmophytes became more predominant with longer follow-up times, while configurations with cervical facet joint ankylosis only or bridging syndesmophytes only were less frequently observed.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence of cervical facet joint ankylosis appears as often as bridging syndesmophytes on routine AS spinal radiographs. Presence of cervical facet joint ankylosis should be considered because it may have a higher disease burden.
PubMed: 37280716
DOI: 10.1186/s41927-023-00334-x -
Frontiers in Physiology 2023For a better understanding of the pathophysiology of spondyloarthropathy (SpA), a detailed anatomical description of the sacroiliac joint is required because... (Review)
Review
For a better understanding of the pathophysiology of spondyloarthropathy (SpA), a detailed anatomical description of the sacroiliac joint is required because sacroiliitis is the earliest and most common sign of SpA and an essential feature for the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis. Beyond the anatomy, the histopathology of sacroiliac entheses and immunological mechanisms involved in sacroiliitis are crucial for a better understanding of disease causation. In this narrative review, we discuss the core anatomical, histological, and immunohistological observations involved in the development of sacroiliitis, focusing particularly on imaging-based information associated with sacroiliitis. Finally, we try to answer the question of whether at the sacroiliac joint, enthesitis precedes synovitis and subchondral bone changes in SpA.
PubMed: 37250138
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1182902 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) May 2023Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is characterized by inflammatory back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was the earlier gold standard technique for detecting early...
Visual Scoring of Sacroiliac Joint/Sacrum Ratios of Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography Images Affords High Sensitivity and Negative Predictive Value in Axial Spondyloarthritis.
Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is characterized by inflammatory back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was the earlier gold standard technique for detecting early inflammatory change. We reassessed the diagnostic utility of sacroiliac joint/sacrum (SIS) ratios of single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) for identifying sacroiliitis. We aimed to investigate of SPECT/CT in diagnosing SpA using a rheumatologist's visual scoring of SIS ratios assessment. We conducted a single-center, medical records review study of patients with lower back pain who underwent bone SPECT/CT from August 2016 to April 2020. We employed semiquantitative visual bone scoring methods of SIS ratio. The uptake of each sacroiliac joint was compared to that of the sacrum (0-2). A score of 2 for the sacroiliac joint of either side was considered diagnostic of sacroiliitis. Of the 443 patients assessed, 40 had axial SpA (axSpA), 24 being radiographic axSpA and 16 being nonradiographic axSpA. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of SIS ratio of SPECT/CT for axSpA were 87.5%, 56.5%, 16.6%, and 97.8%, respectively. In receiver operating curve analysis, MRI better diagnosed axSpA than did SIS ratio of SPECT/CT. Although the diagnostic utility of SIS ratio of SPECT/CT was inferior to MRI, visual scoring of SPECT/CT affords high sensitivity and negative predictive value in axSpA. When MRI is inappropriate for certain patients, SIS ratio of SPECT/CT is an alternative tool for identifying axSpA in real practice.
PubMed: 37238208
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13101725 -
BMJ Case Reports May 2023Although SARS-CoV-2 syndrome primarily affects the lungs, systemic manifestations have been reported. New rheumatic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases have been...
Although SARS-CoV-2 syndrome primarily affects the lungs, systemic manifestations have been reported. New rheumatic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases have been reported following SARS-CoV-2 infection. We present a case of a woman in her mid-30s who developed inflammatory back pain due to bilateral sacroiliitis with erosions after contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection. Her inflammatory markers on presentation were normal. MRI of the sacroiliac joints demonstrated bone marrow oedema and erosive changes in both sacroiliac joints. As the patient was intolerant to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, adalimumab 40 mg subcutaneous (SC) injection was administered, which improved her symptoms in 8 weeks. However, due to the drug's side effects, SC adalimumab was switched to intravenous infliximab. The patient is currently tolerating her intravenous infliximab well and has experienced significant improvement in her symptoms. We reviewed the current literature on the prevalence of axial spondyloarthropathy after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Topics: Female; Humans; Spondylarthritis; Infliximab; Adalimumab; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Sacroiliac Joint; Sacroiliitis; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Rheumatic Diseases; Pain
PubMed: 37230746
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2022-252985 -
Mediterranean Journal of Rheumatology Mar 2023
PubMed: 37223595
DOI: 10.31138/mjr.34.1.105 -
ACR Open Rheumatology Jul 2023Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic, immune-mediated disease characterized by inflammatory axial skeleton involvement and extra-musculoskeletal manifestations.... (Review)
Review
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic, immune-mediated disease characterized by inflammatory axial skeleton involvement and extra-musculoskeletal manifestations. The continuum of axSpA ranges from nonradiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA) to ankylosing spondylitis, also known as radiographic axSpA; the latter is defined by definitive radiographic sacroiliitis. Human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) is a genetic marker strongly associated with axSpA; it aids in the diagnosis of axSpA, and its absence leads to delay in diagnosis. For HLA-B27-negative patients, disease pathogenesis is poorly understood, signs and symptoms are frequently underrecognized, and diagnosis and treatment are commonly delayed. The proportion of HLA-B27-negative patients may be higher among non-White patients and those with nr-axSpA, who can face additional diagnostic challenges related to lack of definitive radiographic sacroiliitis. In this narrative review, we discuss the role of HLA-B27 in the diagnosis and pathogenesis of axSpA and highlight various pathways and genes that may be related to axSpA pathogenesis in HLA-B27-negative patients. We also emphasize the need to characterize gut microbial communities in these patients. Adequate understanding of clinical and pathological features underlying HLA-B27-negative patients with axSpA will improve diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for this complex inflammatory disease.
PubMed: 37222563
DOI: 10.1002/acr2.11555 -
A case report of an extremely rare association of ankylosing spondylitis with pachydermoperiostosis.Clinical Case Reports May 2023We describe a case of a young man with features of pachydermoperiostosis and spondyloarthropathy. By describing this rarity, we aim to help build a database for future...
KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE
We describe a case of a young man with features of pachydermoperiostosis and spondyloarthropathy. By describing this rarity, we aim to help build a database for future studies and construct a management plan that rheumatologists and clinicians can use.
ABSTRACT
This is the first case report in Iraq describing the combination of pachydermoperiostosis and ankylosing spondylitis. We report this interesting association in a 23-year-old male who presented with inflammatory back pain, coarse facial features, clubbing, signs of enthesitis, limitation of spine movement, and clinical and radiographic signs of sacroiliitis.
PubMed: 37220512
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.7375 -
Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine... Mar 2023Local glucocorticoid injections are used in the treatment of isolated sacroiliitis in patients with spondyloarthritis. Sacroiliac joint injections can be performed...
Local glucocorticoid injections are used in the treatment of isolated sacroiliitis in patients with spondyloarthritis. Sacroiliac joint injections can be performed intraarticularly or periarticularly. Since the accuracy of blind injections is low, fluoroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, or ultrasonography guidance are used to increase the accuracy of sacroiliac joint injections. Currently, imaging fusion software is successfully used in sacroiliac joint interventions with three-dimensional anatomic information added to ultrasonography. Herein, we present two cases of sacroiliac joint corticosteroid injections under ultrasonography-magnetic resonance imaging fusion guidance.
PubMed: 37201011
DOI: 10.5606/tftrd.2022.8858 -
Dermatology Practical & Conceptual Apr 2023Systemic isotretinoin is the most effective treatment modality in acne vulgaris; however, both patients and physicians hesitate to use it due its side effects.
INTRODUCTION
Systemic isotretinoin is the most effective treatment modality in acne vulgaris; however, both patients and physicians hesitate to use it due its side effects.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of fatigue, myalgia and low back pain during systemic isotretinoin treatment; and to determine their relationship with age, gender, treatment duration, daily isotretinoin dose and isotretinoin-naiveness of the patient.
METHODS
This is a cross sectional study including the acne vulgaris patients, aged between 13 to 40 years, who have at least received one month of oral isotretinoin treatment. Patients were questioned for side effects during their follow-up visits; a physical therapy and rehabilitation specialist further evaluated patients complaining of low back pain.
RESULTS
Fatigue was reported by 4.4% of the patients, myalgia by 2.8% and low back pain by 25% of the patients; 2.2% had inflammatory and 22.8% had mechanical low back pain. None of the patients had sacroiliitis. All the side effects that were examined were found to be independent of age, gender, isotretinoin dosage (mg/kg/day), treatment duration and isotretinoin-naiveness.
CONCLUSIONS
The side effects are not as common as feared; thus, patients and physicians should not hesitate to use systemic isotretinoin in indicated cases.
PubMed: 37196277
DOI: 10.5826/dpc.1302a121