Atypical Chronic Inflammatory ANCA-Positive Deforming Arthritis After Cocaine-Levamisole Exposure.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Immunostimulatory drugs including immune checkpoint inhibitors and levamisole can induce inflammatory disease including vasculitis, rashes, tissue necrosis, and arthritis. METHODS: This prospective cohort study determined the 5-year outcomes of cocaine-levamisole-induced inflammatory disease as to outcomes and survival. Thirty-one consecutive cocaine-levamisole autoimmune patients and 45 primary vasculitis patients were characterized as to clinical differentiating features, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) status, treatment, the presence of acute and chronic arthritis, and 5-year outcome. RESULTS: Seventy-one percent (22/31) of cocaine-levamisole vasculopathy cases were ANCA positive (86% p-ANCA and 14% c-ANCA), whereas 53% (23/45) of the primary vasculitis were ANCA positive (p = 0.04). The ANCA-positive cocaine-levamisole cohort at onset were characterized by younger age (45 ± 12 vs 53 ± 14 years, p = 0.04), superficial skin necrosis (82% vs 54%, p = 0.036), depressed complement C3 (27% vs 4%, p = 0.33), antiphospholipid antibodies (50% vs 4%, p < 0.001), neutropenia (18% vs 0%, p = 0.044), and elevated antimyeloperoxidase (MPO) antibody levels (100% vs 67%, p < 0.001). Chronic cocaine-levamisole disease was characterized by severe cicatrical deformities of the face and extremities (45.5% vs 8.3%, p = 0.005). Arthralgias (71% vs 82%, p = 0.19) and acute arthritis (33% vs 32%, p = 0.25) were similar between the 2 groups. However, a substantial proportion cocaine-levamisole-induced autoimmune patients (18% vs 0%, p = 0.045) developed a chronic deforming inflammatory arthritis that was rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic-citrillinated antibody antibody, and HLA-B27 negative, but p-ANCA-and MPO antibody positive. CONCLUSIONS: Patients exposed to cocaine-levamisole may develop serious chronic sequelae including cicatrical cutaneous and facial deformities and an atypical seronegative, p-ANCA and MPO antibody-positive, HLA-B27-negative chronic deforming inflammatory arthritis.

HLA-B27 spondyloarthritis and spotted fever rickettsiosis: case-based review.

Rickettsia rickettsii, a tick borne disease, is the pathogen responsible for inducing Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), an illness that can progress to fulminant multiorgan failure and death. We present a case where R. rickettsii, acquired on a camping trip, precipitated a flare of peripheral arthritis and episcleritis in an HLA-B27 positive patient. Although Yersinia, Salmonella, Mycobacteria, Chlamydia, Shigella, Campylobacter, and Brucella have been previously associated with HLA-B27 spondyloarthritis, this unusual case demonstrates that obligate intracellular rickettsial organisms, and specifically, R. rickettsii, can also induce flares of HLA-B27 spondyloarthritis. Rickettsial infections in general can rapidly become fatal in both healthy and immunosuppressed patients, and thus, prompt diagnosis and therapy are required.

Extractable synovial fluid in inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritis of the knee.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that mechanical compression of the knee in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) would mobilize occult extractable fluid and improve arthrocentesis success. METHODS: Sixty-seven consecutive knees with RA and 186 knees with OA and were included. Conventional arthrocentesis was performed and success and volume (milliliters) determined; the needle was left intraarticularly, and mechanical compression was applied with an elastomeric knee brace. Arthrocentesis was then resumed until fluid return ceased. Fluid was characterized as to volume and cell counts. RESULTS: In the RA, knee mechanical compression decreased failed diagnostic arthrocentesis from 56.7% (38/67) to 26.9% (18/67) (- 47.4%, p = 0.003) and increased absolute arthrocentesis yield from 4.7 ± 10.3 ml to 9.8 ± 9.8 ml (108% increase, 95% CI - 8.5 < - 5.1 < - 1.7 p = 0.0038). Total extractable fluid yield was 96% greater in RA (9.8 ± 9.8 ml) than OA (5.0 ± 9.4 ml, p = 0.0008), and occult extractable fluid was 77% greater in RA than OA (RA 5.3 ± 8.7 ml, OA 3.0 ± 5.5 ml, p = 0.046). Large effusions versus small effusions in RA demonstrated increased neutrophils in synovial fluid (p = 0.04) but no difference in radiologic arthritis grade (p = 0.87). In contrast, large effusions versus small effusions in OA demonstrated no difference in neutrophils in synovial fluid (p = 0.87) but significant different radiologic arthritis grade (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Mechanical compression improves the success of diagnostic and therapeutic knee arthrocentesis in both RA and OA. Large effusions in RA are associated with increased neutrophil counts but not arthritis grade; in contrast, large effusions in OA are associated with more severe arthritis grades but not increased neutrophil counts. Key points• Mechanical compression of the painful knee improves arthrocentesis success and fluid yield in both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.• The painful rheumatoid knee contains approximately 100% more fluid than the osteoarthritic knee.• Large effusions in the osteoarthritic knee are characterized by higher grades of mechanical destruction but not increased neutrophil counts.• In contrast, large effusions in the rheumatoid knee are characterized by higher synovial fluid neutrophil counts but not the grade of mechanical destruction, indicating different mechanisms of effusion formation in rheumatoid arthritis versus osteoarthritis.

Characteristics of Behcet's Disease in the American Southwest.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine the characteristics of Behçet's disease (BD) in the American Southwest. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of BD patients clinically encountered during a 2-year period. All subjects fulfilled the International Study Group criteria (ISG) or International Criteria for Behcet's Disease (ICBD). Age, gender, clinical characteristics, substance use, and HLA-B51 status were determined. RESULTS: 63 patients (female: male ratio: 4.7:1) fulfilled ISG criteria and 76 the ICBD criteria (estimated prevalence of 8.9-10.6 per 100,000). 84.1% (53/63) were initially diagnosed with non-BD primary diagnoses including inflammatory arthritis (15.9%), fibromyalgia (7.9%), vasculitis (7.9%), or systemic lupus erythematosus (7.9%). Common BD manifestations were oral aphthous ulcers (100%), acneiform lesions (69.8%), genital aphthous ulcers (61.9%), papulopustular lesions (52.4%), pseudofolliculitis (42.9%), inflammatory arthritis (41.3%), anterior uveitis (23.8%), posterior uveitis (15.9%), pathergy (15.9%), deep vein thrombosis (14.3%), non-ocular vasculitis (11.1%), erythema nodosum (7.9%), arterial thrombosis (6.3%), and retinal vasculitis (1.6%). BD ethnic proportions were 49.2% Hispanic American (HA), 31.7% European-American (EA), 14.3% Native American (NA), and 1.7% Silk Road. HLA-B51 was present more in NA (89.0%, p = 0.02) and HA (74.2%, p = 0.02) compared to EA (42.1%). Therapy of BD was conventional, except for the frequent use of hydroxychloroquine. CONCLUSIONS: BD is common in the American Southwest with a prevalence of 8.9-10.6 cases per 100,000. BD patients are commonly initially diagnosed with alternative primary conditions. Hydroxychloroquine may be an effective alternative therapy for BD. This is one of the first reports of BD in HA and NA populations.

Kaposi Sarcoma as a Cutaneous Vasculitis Mimic: Diagnosis and Treatment.

Painful, palpable purpura usually indicate underlying vasculitis. We report a case of systemic vasculitis treated with immunosuppression that developed painful, vasculitis-like purpuric lesions that progressed rapidly to fulminant Kaposi sarcoma (KS). These purpuric, tumorous lesions resolved completely following the suspension of immunosuppression; however, without immunosuppression, the underlying autoimmunity recurred. This case highlights the potential for early KS to present as a vasculitis mimic or pseudovasculitis that clinicians should keep in mind when purpuric, vasculitis-like lesions develop in an immunosuppressed patient with vasculitis. It is important to recognize these pseudovasculitis lesions as KS rather than recurrent vasculitis so that immunosuppression can be withdrawn.

Intralesional Injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide for Subcutaneous Lipoma causing Musculoskeletal and Neurologic Symptoms.

Objective: Benign subcutaneous lipomas can cause musculoskeletal pain and nerve impingement. We hypothesized that the potent lipolytic and atrophic effect of 40mg/mL triamcinolone acetonide would atrophy symptomatic lipomas so surgical excision could be avoided. Design: This was a cohort study. Setting: This study took place in an ultrasound injection clinic. Participants: Eight subjects with painful symptomatic lipoma were included. Measurements: Preprocedurally, the margins of the lipomas were palpated and marked with ink, then measured in centimeters (cm). Small lipomas (1-3cm) were injected with 40mg triamcinolone acetonide, while large lipomas (4-6cm) were injected with 80mg of triamcinolone acetonide. The subjects were reassessed at a four-month follow-up appointment and then again at one year and two years after the procedure. Results: Pre-injection, all eight subjects had symptoms related to impingement or pain with compression of the lipoma. At four months post-injection, none of the patients had symptoms attributable to the lipoma (p<0.001). The mean lipoma palpable dimension was 5.0±1.2cm prior to the injection and was 2.0±1.1cm at four months after the injection, with a significant mean 3.0±0.3cm (60%) reduction in lipoma dimensions (p<0.001). Two subjects demonstrated some mild hypopigmentation of the skin at four months post-injection. Within two years, three lipomas had symptomatically recurred, one of which was removed surgically and the two of which were reinjected. There were no infections or other serious adverse reactions that occurred. Conclusions: For individuals with painful subcutaneous lipoma, intralesional injection of 40mg/mL of triamcinolone acetonide is an effective and safe alternative to surgical excision or injection of sclerosing agents and should be considered as a reasonable therapeutic alternative in select patients.

Can Diagnostic and Therapeutic Arthrocentesis Be Successfully Performed in the Flexed Knee?

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether the extended or flexed knee positioning was superior for arthrocentesis and whether the flexed knee positioning could be improved by mechanical compression. METHODS: Fifty-five clinically effusive knees underwent arthrocentesis in a quality improvement intervention: 20 consecutive knees in the extended knee position using the superolateral approach, followed by 35 consecutive knees in the flexed knee position with and without an external compression brace placed on the suprapatellar bursa. Arthrocentesis success and fluid yield in milliliters were measured. RESULTS: Fluid yield for the extended knee was greater (191% greater) than the flexed knee (extended knee, 16.9 ± 15.7 mL; flexed knee, 5.8 ± 6.3 mL; P < 0.007). Successful diagnostic arthrocentesis (≥2 mL) was 95% (19/20) in the extended knee and 77% (27/35) in the flexed knee (P = 0.08). After mechanical compression was applied to the suprapatellar bursa and patellofemoral joint of the flexed knee, fluid yields were essentially identical (extended knee, 16.9 ± 15.7 mL; flexed knee, 16.7 ± 11.3 mL; P = 0.73), as were successful diagnostic arthrocentesis (≥2 mL) (extended knee 95% vs. flexed knee 100%, P = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: The extended knee superolateral approach is superior to the flexed knee for conventional arthrocentesis; however, the extended knee positioning and flexed knee positioning have identical arthrocentesis success when mechanical compression is applied to the superior knee. This new flexed knee technique for arthrocentesis is a useful alternative for patients who are in wheelchairs, have flexion contractures, cannot be supine, or cannot otherwise extend their knee.

Outcomes and cost-effectiveness of ultrasound-guided injection of the trochanteric bursa.

We hypothesized that ultrasound (US) guidance improves outcomes of corticosteroid injection of trochanteric bursitis. 40 patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome defined by pain to palpation over the trochanteric bursa were randomized to injection with 5 ml of 1% lidocaine and 80 mg of methylprednisolone using (1) conventional anatomic landmark palpation guidance or (2) US guidance. Procedural pain (Visual Analogue Pain Scale), pain at outcome (2 weeks and 6 months), therapeutic duration, time-to-next intervention, and costs were determined. There were no complications in either group. Ultrasonography demonstrated that at least a 2-in (50.8 mm) needle was required to consistently reach the trochanteric bursa. Pain scores were similar at 2 weeks: US: 1.3 ± 1.9 cm; landmark: 2.2 ± 2.5 cm, 95% CI of difference: - 0.7 < 0.9 < 2.5, p = 0.14. At 6 months, US was superior: US: 3.9 ± 2.0 cm; landmark: 5.5 ± 2.6 cm, 95% CI of difference: 0.8 < 1.6 < 2.4, p = 0.036. However, therapeutic duration (US 4.7 ± 1.4 months; landmark 4.1 ± 2.9 months, 95% CI of difference - 2.2 < - 0.6 < 1.0, p = 0.48), and time-to-next intervention (US 8.7 ± 2.9 months; landmark 8.3 ± 3.8 months, 95% CI of difference - 2.8 < - 0.4 < 2.0, p = 0.62) were similar. Costs/patient/year was 43% greater with US (US $297 ± 99, landmark $207 ± 95; p = 0.017). US-guided and anatomic landmark injection of the trochanteric bursa have similar 2-week and 6-month outcomes; however, US guidance is considerably more expensive and less cost-effective. Anatomic landmark-guided injection remains the method of choice, but should be routinely performed using a sufficiently long needle [at least a 2 in (50.8 mm)]. US guidance should be reserved for extreme obesity or injection failure.

Improvement in diagnostic and therapeutic arthrocentesis via constant compression.

We hypothesized that constant compression of the knee would mobilize residual synovial fluid and promote successful arthrocentesis. Two hundred and ten knees with grade II-III osteoarthritis were included in this paired design study: (1) conventional arthrocentesis was performed with manual compression and success and volume (milliliters) determined; and (2) the intra-articular needle was left in place, and a circumferential elastomeric brace was tightened on the knee to provide constant compression. Arthrocentesis was attempted again and additional fluid volume was determined. Diagnostic procedural cost-effectiveness was determined using 2017 US Medicare costs. No serious adverse events were noted in 210 subjects. In the 158 noneffusive (dry) knees, sufficient synovial fluid for diagnostic purposes (≥ 2 ml) was obtained in 5.0% (8/158) without compression and 22.8% (36/158) with compression (p = 0.0001, z for 95% CI = 1.96), and the absolute volume of arthrocentesis fluid obtained without compression was 0.28 ± 0.79 versus 1.10 ± 1.81 ml with compression (293% increase, p = 0.0001). In the 52 effusive knees, diagnostic synovial fluid (≥ 2 ml) was obtained in 75% (39/52) without compression and 100% (52/52) with compression (p = 0.0001, z for 95% CI = 1.96), and the absolute volume of arthrocentesis without compression was 14.7 ± 13.8 versus 25.3 ± 15.5 ml with compression (72.1% increase, p = 0.0002). Diagnostic procedural cost-effectiveness was $655/sample without compression and $387/sample with compression. The new technique of constant compression via circumferential mechanical compression mobilizes residual synovial fluid beyond manual compression improving the success, cost-effectiveness, and yield of diagnostic and therapeutic arthrocentesis in both the effusive and noneffusive knee.

2013 update: Hopkins lupus cohort.

The Hopkins lupus cohort is a longitudinal cohort study of over 2,000 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, who are seen quarterly. This review covers ten important clinically-relevant studies of the cohort. These studies include the function of prednisone in atherosclerosis and thrombosis, the preventive function of hydroxychloroquine, new insights into rare neurological manifestations, and treatment of flares with bursts of steroids rather than maintenance steroids.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus arthritis in adults: case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) septic arthritis has emerged over the past 25 years as an increasingly prevalent and serious infection. We sought to characterize the clinical features of MRSA septic arthritis in adult patients. METHODS: We report a case of community-acquired fatal MRSA septic arthritis of the hip and analyze the clinical features of 56 additional adult patients with native-joint MRSA septic arthritis identified through a systematic literature review. RESULTS: Among 56 previously reported cases of MRSA native-joint septic arthritis, 42 were men, 14 had polyarticular infections, 5 were previously healthy individuals with community-acquired infections, and 8 had a fatal outcome. The most frequent predisposing factor was a preexisting rheumatologic condition. The knees and shoulders were most commonly affected. CONCLUSIONS: MRSA native-joint septic arthritis is a predominantly male disease that is usually nosocomial in origin but can occur rarely in health care-naive patients. A preexisting rheumatic disease is the most common predisposition. Community-acquired MRSA septic arthritis can be fatal. Cultures should be performed promptly, to identify potential antibiotic resistance. Patients presenting with both community-acquired and nosocomial septic arthritis should receive initial antibiotic treatment that includes coverage for MRSA.