Traitement des calcinoses sous-cutanées des connectivites

CREST Syndrome in Systemic Sclerosis Patients - Is Dystrophic Calcinosis a Key Element to a Positive Diagnosis?

Introduction

CREST syndrome is a clinical entity associated with systemic sclerosis, which meets at least three of the five clinical features: calcinosis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia. Three of these clinical features (Raynaud’s phenomenon, sclerodactyly and esophageal dysmotility) are often present in classical subsets of SSc: limited and diffuse, and their presence in association does not define CREST syndrome. Calcinosis seems to be less common in SSc and its association with other clinical features is characteristic of CREST syndrome. Therefore, it can be appreciated that calcinosis is the key element of CREST syndrome.

Methods

This study included a number of 37 candidates with SSc, diagnosed with the help of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2013 criteria.

Results and Discussions

These three elements (calcinosis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility) were recorded both in the limited subset of SSc, but especially in the subset of diffuse SSc, contrary to the data in the literature.

Conclusion

We appreciate that CREST syndrome is a clinical entity that can overlap with both subsets of SSc. Given the divergent views of the authors on the classification of CREST syndrome, future studies may contribute to a reassessment of SSc classification.

[Monocentric study on pharmaceuticals taken by patients to treat systemic sclerosis]

INTRODUCTION

Pharmaceutical prescription in systemic sclerosis is guided by national and international recommendations. This study's primary objective was to describe and analyze these prescriptions among patients of our cohort. We also aimed to assess drug compliance among our patients.

METHODS

This is a monocentric observational study on two cohorts of patients with systemic sclerosis; a primary cohort comprising ambulatory patients, who were prospectively included, with exhaustive prescription's data collection; and a secondary cohort included patients asked to fill in a self-questionnaire on treatment compliance.

RESULTS

The main cohort included 157 patients, including 31 cases of diffuse systemic sclerosis. A vasodilator drug for Raynaud's phenomenon was prescribed in 75 patients (47.9%) and a specific treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension in 10 patients (6.4%). Immuno-modulators/immunosuppressants was prescribed in 62 patients (39.5%), who received prednisone (n=37, 23.6%), mycophenolate mofetil (n=14, 8.9%), hydroxychloroquine (n=12, 7.6%) and colchicine (n=22, 14%). Treatment for "gastro-intestinal tract involvement" was prescribed for 106 patients (67.5%) and treatment of a scleroderma renal crisis with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor for 6 patients (3.8%). Among the 42 patients in the secondary cohort, 21.4% reported a good compliance, mostly older patients (P=0.045) or those who had not experienced adverse events (P=0.009).

CONCLUSION

This study provides original real-life data illustrating the heterogeneity of prescription habits in systemic sclerosis. As previously reported, treatment compliance was insufficient.

[Pseudotumoral calcinosis of the wrist compressing the radial nerve in systemic sclerosis]

BACKGROUND

Pseudotumoral calcinosis, a rare complication of systemic scleroderma, is characterized by the presence in extra-articular tissue, but rarely intra-articular tissue, of large masses made up of hydroxyapatite crystals.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We report an original case of intra- and extra-articular pseudotumoral calcinosis of the wrist diagnosed in a patient followed for mild systemic scleroderma. The calcinosis was revealed in a highly unusual way via ductal syndrome secondary to compression of the radial nerve in the wrist. Surgical treatment resulted in marked clinical and functional improvement.

COMMENT

Although subcutaneous calcinoses are a fairly common complication of systemic scleroderma, the pseudo-tumoral form remains extremely rare. It may be complicated by pain, recurrent infection, and functional restriction, but literature contains only very rare reports of its revelation via ductal syndrome.

Iatrogenic Calcinosis Cutis Successfully Treated with Topical Sodium Thiosulfate

Calcinosis cutis is a term used to describe a group of disorders in which calcium salt deposits form in the skin and subcutaneous tissue. We report a 6-year-old boy with hypoparathyroidism after thyroidectomy who was admitted to the hospital for severe hypocalcemia being treated with calcium gluconate intravenous infusion through peripheral veins. Within a few days we made a diagnosis of iatrogenic calcinosis cutis and treatment with 10% topical sodium thiosulfate was prescribed; complete resolution of lesions was achieved after 6 months, with no local or systemic adverse effects. Because of the lack of noninvasive alternatives and the good tolerance of the treatment, especially in childhood, we suggest the topical use of this drug as an option for this condition.

Intravenous sodium thiosulfate for treating tumoral calcinosis associated with systemic disorders: Report of four cases

Intravenous sodium thiosulfate (ivSTS) is a promising new therapeutic option for calciphylaxis related to end-stage renal disease. However, its effect on tumoral calcinosis (TC) complicating autoimmune connective-tissue diseases has been scarcely described. We report here 4 cases (3 adults and 1 child) of TC treated with ivSTS. TC was secondary to CREST syndrome, dermatomyositis (1 adult and 1 child) and systemic erythematous lupus and involved multiple sites in all cases. In all 4 patients, TC was responsible for joint pain, reduced mobility, inflammatory flares and skin fistulations. One patient experienced difficulty sitting due to the pain induced by calcified lesions on the buttock; another patient had major disability, moved only with wheelchair and was under opioid treatment for pain. For all patients, treatment with several medications before STS was unsuccessful. The 3 adults received at least 6 cycles of ivSTS (20g/d, 5 days/month) and the child received a daily infusion of 17g STS during 1 month then a 9-g/d infusion during 3 months. Two adults and the child showed clinical improvement with STS treatment and the third adult felt disappointed and stopped STS treatment after 6 months. The child also stopped STS after 6 months due to vomiting. In one patient, an intensive regimen of ivSTS (20g every 2 days) controlled recurrent flares and fistulations. Unfortunately, TC remained unchanged. Further studies are needed to decipher how STS modulates ectopic calcification, the optimal regimen and posology.

Systemic sclerosis-related calcinosis

Purpose

To provide an update on the clinical burden of calcinosis (subcutaneous or intracutaneous deposition of calcium salts) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and discuss advances in our understanding of pathogenesis, associates, and measurement techniques, as well as an overview of the current approach to management.

Methods

Four case scenarios are presented, to illustrate the clinical spectrum of calcinosis. Epidemiology (including associates), pathogenesis, imaging and measurement, and treatment are reviewed.

Results

Calcinosis represents a major clinical problem in patients with SSc. Up to 40% of patients are affected, the proportion depending in part on how carefully calcinosis is looked for. Associates of calcinosis include longer disease duration, anticentromere antibody, and digital ulceration. When severe, calcinosis causes pain, disability, and disfigurement. Pathogenesis is unknown, but tissue ischaemia, microtrauma, and loss of balance between calcification stimulants and inhibitors are likely contributors. Calcinosis deposits are mainly composed of hydroxyapatite. They are very visible on plain radiographs, and radiographic scoring systems are being developed, and other imaging modalities (including computed tomography and ultrasound) are being explored. Despite a number of proposed treatments, currently there is no effective ‘disease-modifying’ therapy for calcinosis and the main aspects of management are antibiotics, analgesics, multidisciplinary team input, and surgical debulking.

Conclusions

Up until recently, SSc-related calcinosis has received very little attention in terms of research into pathogenesis, measurement, and treatment. This imbalance is now being redressed and although we still do not have an effective treatment, progress is being made.

Is rituximab an effective treatment of refractory calcinosis?

Calcinosis, the deposition of calcified material in soft tissues, is frequently seen in systemic sclerosis and dermatomyositis. Treatment options are limited, with disappointing results. Some recent case reports suggest that rituximab may be an attractive therapeutic option. In case 1, a 54-year-old woman who presented with rheumatoid arthritis in association with scleromyositis was treated with rituximab for rheumatoid arthritis. Despite this, she developed multiple progressive calcinosis, necessitating extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy to limit calcinosis extension and pain. In case 2, a 38-year-old man, previously treated for an anti-Pm/Scl-positive polymyositis/scleroderma overlap syndrome, presented with multiple tumoural periarticular calcinosis, which progressed despite bisphosphonates, sodium thiosulfate and thalidomide. We decided to start rituximab. Progression of calcinosis was still evident 6 and 12 months after anti-CD20 treatment. Many treatments have been tried to treat calcinosis without demonstrated effectiveness. Presently, rituximab cannot be recommended for this indication in the absence of successful controlled trials.