Progressive pseudorheumotoid dysplasia: A presentation of four cases with slow and rapid progression and effects of early rehabilitation program

Proximal Tibial Fracture in Pseudo-Rheumatoid Synovial Chondromatosis: A Case Study

Introduction

Progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia is an autosomal recessively inherited rare disorder with features of growth retardation, multiple joint deformities, and intra-articular loose bodies.

Case Report

This case study is about a 34-year-old man who presented to us following trauma to his right leg. On general assessment, he was short statured with multiple deformities of both upper and lower limbs with local signs suggestive of proximal tibial fracture over his right tibia. Blood values indicated low Vitamin D levels with normal serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase, inclusive of the inflammatory markers. X-rays showed platyspondyly, decreased bone stock, and significant joint space narrowing in addition to the displaced proximal tibial meta-diaphyseal fracture. He was managed surgically and went on to have an uneventful post-operative period with fracture healing but with a need for further intervention in the future to address his associated secondary knee arthritis.

Conclusion

To share the morphometrics and presentation of this rare disease. And to highlight the role of psychological and rehabilitative therapy in improving the disease outcomes.

[Bilateral total hip arthroplasty in a 15-year-old patient with progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia. Case report and literature review]

Progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia (PPD) is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease of very low prevalence. It is characterized by the affection of multiple joints, generating arthrosis and progressive deformities from a very young age, which significantly affect the quality of life of patients. Its diagnosis is only confirmed by genetic testing, and no specific pharmacological treatment is still available. In the case of hip involvement, one treatment option is arthroplasty. In this case report, we present a 15-year-old boy with bilateral coxarthrosis secondary to PPD who underwent bilateral total hip arthroplasty in two stages. We highlight the characteristics of this rare entity, the intraoperative findings, the functional outcomes, and the impact on quality of life.

Specific early signs and long-term follow-up findings of progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia (PPRD) in the Turkish cohort

OBJECTIVES

Progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia (PPRD) is a spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia caused by biallelic variants in CCN6. This study aimed to describe the early signs and follow-up findings in 44 Turkish PPRD patients.

METHODS

The patients with progressive stiffness of multiple joints, characteristic wide metaphysis of interphalangeal (IP) joints and platyspondyly were clinically diagnosed with PPRD. Fifteen patients who had first symptoms under 3 years of age were grouped as early-onset, while others were grouped as classical. CCN6 sequencing was performed in 43 patients.

RESULTS

Thirteen pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants were identified, five were novel. c.156C>A(p.Cys52*) variant was found in 53.3% of the families. The initial symptom in the early-onset group was genu varum deformity, while it was widening of IP joints in the classical group. The median age of onset of symptoms and of diagnosis was 4 and 9.7 years, respectively. The mean follow-up duration was 5.6 years. The median age of onset of IP, elbow, knee and hip stiffness, which became progressive with growth was 5, 9, 9 and 12.2 years, respectively. Waddling gait occurred in 97.7% of the patients. A total of 47.7% lost independent walking ability at the median age of 12 years. In the early-onset group, waddling gait occurred earlier than in classical group (P < 0.001). Two patients had atypical presentation with late-onset and mild or lack of IP involvement.

CONCLUSION

We observed that genu varum deformity before the age of 3 years was an early sign for PPRD and almost half of the patients lost walking ability at the median age of 12 years.

Progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia misdiagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a case report

BACKGROUND

Progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia is a rare, autosomal recessively inherited, noninflammatory musculoskeletal disorder caused by mutations occurring in the WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 3 gene. Joint cartilage is the primary site of involvement, leading to arthralgia, joint stiffness, contractures, enlargement of the epiphyses and metaphysis of the hand joints, spinal abnormalities, short stature, early osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common chronic rheumatic disease in childhood and has unknown etiology. Clinical features of progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia resemble those of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Patients with progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia are usually misdiagnosed as having juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 13-year-old Yemeni female presented to the rheumatology clinic with a history of joint pains, bone pains, and bone deformity for 7 years. Weight and height were below the third percentiles. There was no tender swelling of metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints, and she presented with scoliosis. Radiographs of the hands revealed the widening of the epiphyses. Progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia was suspected, and genetic testing for WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1, 2, and 3 was requested with these findings. A homozygous, likely pathogenic variant was identified in the WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 3 gene, which confirmed our diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia is a rare form of spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia and is clinically misdiagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It is crucial to consider progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia, especially in patients with standard inflammatory markers who are being followed up for juvenile idiopathic arthritis and not improving with antirheumatic intervention.

A retrospective study of nine patients with progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia: to explore early diagnosis and further treatment

OBJECTIVES

Most patients with progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia (PPRD) are initially misdiagnosed because of disease rarity and lack of awareness by most clinicians. The purpose of this study was to provide further early diagnostic options and potential treatment to patients with PPRD.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed by collecting and organizing clinical manifestations, radiographic features, laboratory test results, genetic test outcome, treatment, and follow-up records of the patients with PPRD. Age of diagnosis and genotype-phenotype correlation were further analyzed.

RESULTS

Nine PPRD children with causative CCN6 mutation were included. There were 3 pairs of siblings and 1 patient from inbred family. Five patients were primarily misdiagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The interval between onset of symptoms and definite diagnosis of 8 patients varied from 3.6 to 20 years. Symptoms at the onset included enlarged and stiff interphalangeal joints of the fingers, gait disturbance, or joint pain. Laboratory tests revealed normal range of inflammatory parameters. Radiographic findings disclosed different degrees of abnormal vertebral bodies and epiphyseal enlargement of the interphalangeal joints. After the treatment of calcitriol in 5 patients with low level 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 for around 1.25 years to 1.75 years, 2 patients kept stable, while 3 of them improved gradually.

CONCLUSIONS

Combining the patient's family history, clinical features, normal inflammatory markers, and the characteristic radiographic findings, the clinical diagnosis of PPRD for the patients could be obtained at very early stage of the disease. The patients with PPRD carrying c.624dupA variant in CCN6 may have delayed onset. Underlying vitamin D deficiency should be sought and corrected in patients with PPRD.

Genetic disorders with symptoms mimicking rheumatologic diseases: A single-center retrospective study

Musculoskeletal symptoms may be due to noninflammatory causes, including genetic disorders. We aimed to examine the final genetic diagnosis in patients who presented with musculoskeletal complaints to the rheumatology department. Patients who presented to the Department of Pediatric Rheumatology and were referred to the pediatric genetic department between January 2015 and May 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. A total of 60 patients, 19 boys (31.66%), with a mean age of 12.46 ± 1.41 years were included in the study. The total consanguinity rate was 25%. The most common (29.5%) cause of referral to the pediatric genetic department was the presence of skeletal anomalies (such as camptodactyly, clinodactyly, and short stature) with accompanying joint findings. Approximately one-third of the patients (n: 19) were diagnosed and followed up by the pediatric genetics department. The diagnoses of patients were as follows: camptodactyly, arthropathy, coxa vara, and pericarditis (CACP) syndrome (n: 3); trichorhinophalangeal syndrome (n: 1); progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia (n: 2); LIG4 syndrome (n: 1); H syndrome (n: 1); spondyloenchondrodysplasia (SPENCD) (n: 3); and nonspecific connective tissue disorders (n: 8). In the differential diagnosis of patients who are referred to the Department of Pediatric Rheumatology with complaints of the musculoskeletal system, genetic disorders should also be considered.

Delayed-onset progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia with secondary synovial chondromatosis

A 25-year-old man presented to us with progressive multiple joint pain, enlargement, and restricted movements. X-rays showed platyspondyly, multiple epiphyseal widening, synovial chondromatosis, and decreased bone stock and cortical thickness. Genetic testing showed biallelic pathogenic variants in CCN6 which confirmed the diagnosis of progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia. Supportive care, physical therapy, genetic and psychological counselling were provided to the patient.