Rheumatological manifestations of the leukaemias and graft versus host disease

Paraneoplastic musculoskeletal disorders: review and update for radiologists

Rheumatic paraneoplastic syndromes are rare syndromes that occur at distant sites from the underlying tumor and may involve the bones, joints, fasciae, muscles, or vessels. In the absence of a known tumor, early recognition of a rheumatic syndrome as paraneoplastic permits dedicated work-up for, and potentially early treatment of an occult malignancy. Although there is a continuously growing list of paraneoplastic rheumatic disorders, not all of these disorders have a well-established association with a neoplastic process. The goals of this article are to review the clinical characteristics, diagnostic work-up, and imaging findings of well-documented rheumatic paraneoplastic disorders.

Musculoskeletal, Neurologic, and Cardiopulmonary Aspects of Physical Rehabilitation in Patients with Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) has the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality in people who undergo allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Management of complications due to cGVHD can be challenging because of multiorgan involvement and variable presentation of the disease. This paper outlines the diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal, neurologic, and cardiopulmonary manifestations of cGVHD that have the potential to cause profound functional impairment and that may significantly impact quality of life and lifespan. Expert evaluation by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician and multidisciplinary team may be beneficial in the treatment of the disease sequelae, and examples of specific rehabilitation interventions are described.

[Leukemia revealed by polyarthritis]

INTRODUCTION

Ostéoarticular manifestation whose reveal leukaemia in 4% of the cases, regress completely with haematological remission.

EXEGESIS

We report two observations of leukaemia revealed by polyarthritis. A 22-year-old woman has presented a polyarthritis 8 months before de diagnosis of acute leukaemia. A 34 years old men, has presented one month before admission an acute polyarthritis revealing chronic myeloid leukaemia.

CONCLUSION

Polyarthritis may reveal an acute or chronic leukaemia. Systematic blood analysis can make a difference in diagnosis of recent polyarthritis.

[Musculoskeletal manifestations in allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

INTRODUCTION

Few studies have examined musculoskeletal manifestations after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT).

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the musculoskeletal symptoms observed after AHSCT for distinct hematological and non-hematological diseases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective, observational study through review of medical records.

RESULTS

There were 123 patients who underwent AHSCT from 1996 to 2000: 34 children (aged 5 months-14 years) and 81 adults (aged 15-55 years). There were 48 women (39%) and 75 men (61%). Of these patients, 43 (34.90%) had acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD). Thirty-three out of 106 patients (31.1%) had chronic GVHD (cGVDH) and 50 patients (40.65%) died during follow-up. Musculoskeletal manifestations were found in 14 patients (13.2%): aseptic necrosis in six (5.6%), scleroderma in five (4.7%), arthralgia and bronchiolitis obliterans in one, polyarthralgia in one, and knee monoarthritis in one.

CONCLUSIONS

Musculoskeletal manifestations after AHSCT cannot be attributed to a single cause. Inflammatory and fibrosing manifestations can be due to the inflammatory process of cGVHD or to the treatments administered during transplantation.

Associations between rheumatoid arthritis and malignancy

There are many complex associations between rheumatoid arthritis(RA) and malignancy. Patients with rheumatic diseases on the whole appear to be at increased risk for the development of certain malignancies. The data from several studies are persuasive that the presence of RA conveys an increased risk for the development of lymphoproliferative disorders and may convey a decreased risk for the development of malignancies of the digestive tract. Understanding the complex interrelationships between RA and malignancy will lead to more accurate diagnosis of underlying pathology, more effective treatment of symptoms and underlying disease, and appropriate surveillance for the development of later complications.

Rheumatologic features of hematologic disorders

This review focuses on the various rheumatologic manifestations of hematologic diseases and is based on the English literature published over the past year. Interrelationships between leukemia, lymphoma, POEMS syndrome, multiple myeloma, hemophilia, and rheumatic manifestations are discussed. Other less common associated conditions dealt with include the RS3PE syndrome, large granular lymphocyte syndrome, and interferon-related arthritis. Finally, therapeutic measures, such as bone marrow transplantation and the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, are reviewed.

Rheumatological manifestations of haematological diseases

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Childhood back pain: diagnostic evaluation of an unusual case

Low back pain is uncommon in children. The case of a 5-year-old boy presenting with back pain that proved to be caused by a metastatic primitive neuroectodermal tumor is presented and the evaluation of such patients is discussed.

Back pain in children and teenagers

Controversial opinions have been published concerning the frequency of LBP among children and adolescents. Studies from orthopaedics or neurosurgical departments have reported low figures for prevalence of specific LBP due to serious disorders. Field surveys, on the contrary, have shown that cumulative life prevalence of non-specific LBP in children and teenagers can be comparable to the prevalence data for adult populations. Some specific diagnoses are more common or characteristic of children complaining of LBP. Age, gender, sports activities and family history of LBP have been found to be significantly associated with an increased prevalence in non-specific LBP among children. Low back pain among children and teenagers is common and should be recognized. This chapter provides guidelines for a clinical approach and differential diagnoses. Most back pain in these age groups is benign and should be treated as such.