Severe bone pain as an adverse effect of cyclosporin therapy for Crohn's disease

Pain syndrome with stress fractures in transplanted patients treated with calcineurin inhibitors

Bone disease remains a major cause of morbidity after renal transplantation. Post-transplant osseous complications include osteoporosis and osteonecrosis, both historically associated with glucocorticoids, and a newer syndrome of bone pain associated with calcineurin inhibitors. Calcineurin inhibitor-induced pain syndrome (CIPS) is a reversible etiology of lower extremity bone pain and bone marrow edema reported in patients receiving cyclosporine or tacrolimus after solid organ or bone marrow transplantation. While the syndrome’s pathophysiology is unclear, bone insufficiency and epiphyseal impaction may play a role. We review the literature on this increasingly important post-transplant entity and describe a case illustrating the syndrome’s key features.

Post-transplant distal limb syndrome: clinical diagnosis and long-term outcome in 37 renal transplant recipients

After the introduction of steroid sparing immunosuppressive protocols, osteonecrosis of the hip has become a rare entity in renal transplantation. Instead, an elusive bilateral pain syndrome of the distal extremities has gained more clinical attention. Because of the typical presentation, it is sometimes referred to as 'post-transplant distal limb syndrome' (PTDLS). The syndrome typically manifests during the first year after transplantation and may lead to significant morbidity because of pain induced immobilization. On MRI-scans, a characteristic bilateral patchy osteoedema can be demonstrated. The etiology of PTDLS has not been determined definitely so far. Over the last 8 years, we have seen the syndrome in 37 out of 639 renal transplant patients (5.8%). There was no association to steroid-medication, age, gender, PTH levels or delayed graft function. As an important finding, we saw a significant rise in alkaline phosphatase from 160 +/- 54 to 271 +/- 108 U/l (P = 0.001) and calcium from 2.46 +/- 0.18 to 2.58 +/- 0.18 mmol/l (P = 0.013) preceding the onset of pain by several weeks. Mean duration of clinical symptoms was 5.1 +/- 3.1 months; however, all patients experienced remission without signs of chronic damage on long-term follow up.

Intravenous iloprost: a new therapeutic option for patients with post-transplant distal limb syndrome (PTDLS)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the application of intravenous iloprost as a novel therapy for the treatment of post-transplant distal limb syndrome (PTDLS). PTDLS is a benign but disabling complication in the first year after renal transplantation. It is characterized by bilateral, often incapacitating pain in the feet and or knees on motion and a significant rise in alkaline phosphatase levels on laboratory evaluation. On MRI, bone marrow edema of the affected bone regions can be demonstrated. PTDLS differs from steroid induced osteonecrosis of the hip in terms of localization, an average cumulative steroid dosage within expected limits, and a benign outcome, as PTDLS does not progress to overt cell necrosis. From August 2003 to April 2005 we treated 10 patients with MRI-proven diagnosis of PTDLS following a standardized regimen of intravenous iloprost over 5 days. Iloprost led to prompt pain relief measured on a visual analogous scale (VAS) ranging from 1 to 10 (5.6 +/- 1.5 before vs. 2.1 +/- 1.3 after treatment, p = 0.0004). PTDLS represents a benign but disabling complication following renal transplantation. Intravenous iloprost might be a promising therapeutic concept leading to a quick relief of symptoms without relevant side effects.

Medical therapy for Crohn's disease

The past year's literature pertaining to the medical treatment of Crohn's disease was highlighted by the US Food and Drug Administration's approval of infliximab. Other developments of interest include more evolutionary (in contrast to revolutionary) clinical data regarding aminosalicylates, antibiotics, and steroids as inductive agents and use of immunomodulatory agents as maintenance therapies. Comparative trials continue to demonstrate that steroids, including budesonide, have a greater acute benefit than aminosalicylates, but this benefit does not translate into long-term efficacy. Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine are the standard maintenance therapies for steroid-dependent Crohn's disease, and long-term safety data continue to accumulate regarding these agents in adults and children. Several novel approaches have been reported in preliminary fashion that will require much more extensive clinical experience and controlled-trial evidence.