Neridronate in bone marrow edema syndrome. Efficacy and safety of two therapeutic regimens

The bone marrow edema syndrome (BMES) is a severely disabling pain syndrome without a definite treatment and refers to transient clinical conditions with unknown pathogenic mechanism, such as transient osteoporosis of the hip, regional migratory osteoporosis, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Magnetic resonance imaging is used for early diagnosis and monitoring of its progression. Early differentiation from other aggressive conditions with longterm sequelae is essential in order to avoid unnecessary treatment. The aim of this monocentric trial was to test the efficacy and the safety of amino-bisphosphonate neridronate administered in two different regimens in patients with BMES. 192 patients with BMES secondary to osteoarthritis localized in the knee, hip, wrist or foot were randomly assigned to intravenous (iv) infusion of 100 mg neridronate given four times over 10 days (Group A, 72 subjects) or alternatively to iv infusions of 100 mg every 21 days over 3 months (Group B, 120 subjects). Magnetic resonance image (MRI) was performed at baseline and after 180 days. We assessed a 0-100 mm pain visual analogue scale (VAS) in each patient, too. Outcomes were MRI changes and VAS changes. A control group (35 patients) was enrolled too, treated conservatively with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and articular rest. We observed a significant improvement in MRI with the resolution of bone marrow lesions present at the baseline (P0.1). Both groups showed a significant clinical and radiologic improvement compared with the control group (P<0.001). In patients with BMES, the infusions of neridronate 100 mg every 21 days over 3 months or alternately every 3 days over 10 days were associated with clinically relevant and persistent benefits without significant differences between the two treatment schedules. These results provide conclusive evidence that the use of bisphosphonates, at appropriate doses, is the treatment of choice in BMES

Rheumatic immune-related adverse events from checkpoint inhibitor therapy: a case series

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting cytotoxic Tlymphocyte associated protein-4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), and its ligand PD-L1 are established cancer immunotherapies for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies. These therapies are involved in immune-related adverse events (irAE), both general and rheumatic ones. In general, immune- related adverse events (irAE) management includes drugholding, tapering doses of corticosteroids, and specific immunosuppression for clinically severe cases, such as infliximab or mycophenolate

A case report of calcific aterosclerosis demonstrated on 18-F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography

18-F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18-FDG-PET/CT) is a functional imaging technique which is an established tool in oncology, and has also demonstrated a role in the field of inflammatory diseases, such as large vessel vasculitis (LVV). In the last few years, it is known that atherosclerotic lesions with inflammation, detected by FDG-PET, are high-risk structural features and more likely to lead to subsequent progression of atherosclerosis with more clinical complications

Paget bone disease demonstrated on 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT: a case report

Paget disease (PD) is a chronic disorder resulting in enlarged and misshapen bones, caused by disorganized bone remodeling. This case involves a 64-year-old man with prostatic adenocarcinoma and PD of some skeletal areas with increased uptake shown on 18 F-fluoro-methyl-choline (FMC) positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (PET/CT) performed for cancer restaging. Besides this feature, Paget disease may mimic metastases on PET/CT using various radiotracers, including 18 F-FMC PET/CT. In particular, this case highlights the potential of multiparametric disease characterization on PET. Therefore, in suspected cases, in which differential diagnosis is difficult, histology can be a helpful tool for diagnostic purposes

Proton pump inhibitors in rheumatic diseases: clinical practice, drug interactions, bone fractures and risk of infections

Platelet activation and aggregation are key elements of the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes, of endothelial damage in chronic inflammatory and connective tissue disease (i.e. systemic sclerosis-SSc). Patients affected by chronic inflammatory diseases as well as by connective tissue diseases such as systemic sclerosis, often have the need to take anti-platelet therapy (e.g. ASA or clopidogrel). Current consensus recommendations state that patients prescribed clopidogrel plus aspirin should receive a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to reduce gastrointestinal bleeding. Although each single PPI has similar efficacy in many cases, differences between them should be considered when choosing a treatment regimen. Many studies show PPI and clopidogrel drug interaction, with clopidogrel non-responsiveness in about 25% of the population. Only pantoprazole, which does not inhibit CYP P450 2C19, doesn't seem to have interaction with clopidogrel or other drugs. Patients affected by systemic sclerosis have high frequency of oesophageal mucosal abnormalities and should take long-term PPI therapy. When addressing long-term therapy safety data are clearly needed. Two recent studies have reported increased hip fracture rates with long-term PPI use, raising concerns about adverse effects of this class of drugs on mineral metabolism. The use of PPIs is also associated with an increase in the risk of development of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and the use of PPIs during CDI treatment is associated with an increased risk of recurrence. In order to achieve the desired results and, as with all medications, PPIs should always be used appropriately taking care never to exceed correct dosage and duration. When necessary use of pantoprazole arises as one of the best possible choices

A peculiar case of hearing loss followed years later by tinnitus and vertigo.

Vestibular paroxysmia (also known as disabling positional vertigo) is a clinical syndrome generated by a symptomatic neurovascular compression of the eighth cranial nerve. Although doubted by some authors, this syndrome must be suspected in presence of brief spells of positional vestibular symptoms associated with temporary or permanent but worsening cochleovestibular symptoms and signs, not explained by other diseases. We report a case of a 20-year-old girl affected by permanent sensorineural hearing loss on the right since the age of 4-5 year, who subsequently developed intermittent low pitch tinnitus on the right ear and spells of vertigo or dizziness generated by position or physical activity. Angio-MRI of the brain showed a singular neurovascular contact between the right vertebral artery and the right eighth cranial nerve. The excellent response to carbamazepine confirms the presence of this syndrome

Recognizing and treating myocarditis in recent-onset systemic sclerosis heart disease: Potential utility of immunosuppressive therapy in cardiac damage progression

Scleroderma heart disease is a major risk of death in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Mechanisms underlying myocardial damage are still unclear. We performed an extensive study of SSc patients with recent-onset symptoms for heart disease and examined the efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy