Solitary myeloma in chronic osteomyelitis presenting as a lower femoral fracture

Solitary bone plasmacytoma of the tibia presenting as chronic osteomyelitis: A rare case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Plasmacytoma is a rare plasma cell dyscrasia that grows within the axial skeleton or soft tissue structures as solitary or multiple masses. The primary types are solitary plasmacytoma, including solitary bone plasmacytoma (SBP) and solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma, and multiple solitary plasmacytomas. SBP is characterized by localized proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells and is rare. However, SBP with chronic osteomyelitis is even rarer.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 47-year-old man previously diagnosed with chronic osteomyelitis presented with repeated discharge and ulceration in the front of his right tibia.

DIAGNOSIS, INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES

Lower extremity magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) examinations showed dead bone formation and surrounding inflammatory edema. Thus, the patient underwent dead bone excision and fenestration of the bone marrow cavity. The histopathologic examination results indicated plasmacytoma. Therefore, we administered radiotherapy with satisfactory results.

LESSONS

Physicians should pay close attention to chronic osteomyelitis because it may be accompanied by plasmacytoma. Postoperative pathological and immunohistochemical examinations are crucial, and surgical resection of the lesion and local radiotherapy are effective treatment methods.

CASE REPORTS: malignant fibrous histiocytoma of bone arising in chronic osteomyelitis

This case report shows the importance of frozen section and/or permanent section pathology for diagnosis of tumorous conditions in patients with chronic osteomyelitis. According to published reports, a coincidence of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of bone and post-fracture osteomyelitis has occurred in only four patients. Our report details the treatment of 51-year-old man with a fracture 15 years previously and subsequent chronic osteomyelitis of the left distal femur. The original treatment was open reduction and casting. Fifteen years after the injury, the patient presented to the emergency room with increasing pain, erythema, swelling, and increased purulent discharge from the distal femur. Irrigation and debridement was done, but no frozen section or permanent pathology specimens were obtained. The left distal femur was radically resected for treatment of osteomyelitis. Histologic samples of the specimen revealed malignant fibrous histiocytoma of bone. A metastatic workup was negative. Subsequently, the left hip was disarticulated for wide resection of the tumor. One of two inguinal lymph nodes removed at that time was positive for malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The patient had additional chemotherapy. He was still alive 27 months after the operation.

Plasma cell dyscrasias: current status

This is a review of the current status of the monoclonal gammopathies (plasma cell dyscrasias). We begin with the recognition of a monoclonal protein in serum and urine. We briefly discuss the differential diagnosis of the monoclonal gammopathies. Clinical and laboratory findings as well as the management of multiple myeloma are addressed. Future approaches for the treatment of myeloma are provided. The variant forms of multiple myeloma, including smoldering myeloma, plasma cell leukemia, nonsecretory myeloma, IgD myeloma, osteosclerotic myeloma, solitary plasmacytoma of bone, and extramedullary plasmacytoma, are briefly reviewed. Diagnosis and treatment of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia are presented. The recognition and differential diagnosis of the heavy-chain diseases (gamma, alpha, and mu) are included. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance ("benign" monoclonal gammopathy) is presented in detail. Amyloidosis is not included in this review.