Effect of calcitriol and pamidronate in multiple myeloma.

Addition of bisphosphonates to standard treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) decreases bone pain and skeletal events without influencing bone healing. Calcitriol, besides its established effects on bone remodeling and calcium metabolism, has both immunoregulatory and cell differentiating effects in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, low serum calcitriol has been reported in MM. We tested the effects of supportive treatment with calcitriol and pamidronate on bone disease in two stage-III-B MM patients with diffuse bone involvement, normal serum calcium, and low serum calcitriol. Complete blood counts, serum calcium, creatinine, quantitative serum and urine immunoglobulins, and biochemical indices of bone turnover, serum calcidiol, calcitriol, parathyroid hormone, skeletal radiographs, and bone mineral density by dual x-ray absorbtiometry were measured every 1-6 months for 16 months in the first patient and 7 months in the second patient. Both patients showed a dramatic improvement of MM activity and in bone disease documented by serial radiographs in the first patient and by increased bone mineral density (approximately 15%) in the second. The reduced serum calcitriol in both patients and the elevated parathyroid hormone observed in the first patient before treatment returned to normal. Supportive treatment with pamidronate does not induce bone healing in MM. Therefore, the results observed with the addition of calcitriol suggest that this hormone may have contributed to the apparent arrest of the progression of MM and caused stimulation of bone healing.

Destructive spondyloarthropathy of the cervical spine in patients with chronic renal failure.

STUDY DESIGN: Eleven patients with chronic renal failure and destructive spondyloarthropathy of the cervical spine were evaluated with plain radiographs, flexion-extension views, computed tomography myelogram, or magnetic resonance imaging to determine the results of surgical and nonsurgical treatment. OBJECTIVES: To determine if cervical spine fusion is an effective method of treatment for patients with chronic renal failure and destructive spondyloarthropathy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Several reports have described the pathogenesis and appearance of this condition, but little has been reported about the orthopedic management of destructive spondyloarthropathy of the cervical spine. METHODS: Three patients had no spinal surgery, three patients had laminectomies alone, three patients had laminectomies with anterior fusions, and two patients had laminectomies with posterior fusions. Radiographs, computed tomography myelograms, and magnetic resonance images were evaluated to determine the results of treatment. Histologic examinations were performed in two patients. RESULTS: Patients with laminectomy alone had no improvement in pain or neurologic function (one died in the immediate postoperative period), one of three patients with anterior fusions had some improvement (one died in the immediate postoperative period), and both of those patients with posterior fusions improved, although both died within a year of surgery from unrelated causes. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the osteopenia present in patients with chronic renal failure tends to allow wire pull-out and makes internal fixation of the spine difficult, successful cervical spinal fusion can relieve pain and improve neurologic deficits in selected patients with chronic renal failure and destructive spondyloarthropathy, allowing them to remain more active for longer periods of time.

Treatment of calcinosis with diltiazem.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that the calcium antagonist diltiazem is effective in the treatment of calcinosis. METHODS: Diltiazem, 240-480 mg/day, was given to 4 patients with idiopathic or CREST-related (calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, telangiectasias) calcinosis for 1-12 years. Serial radiographs of the affected areas, using identical technique, and clinical evaluations were obtained. A fifth patient, who did not tolerate diltiazem, received verapamil, 120 mg/day for 18 months. RESULTS: All patients taking diltiazem had a reduction or disappearance of the calcific lesions, with striking clinical improvement. One patient's case was followed for 12 years. The response to diltiazem during the first 5 years of treatment has been previously reported in detail; however, over 7 years of additional treatment, there was further reduction of the lesions. One patient developed a large calcific lesion while receiving verapamil for hypertension, and after verapamil was replaced with diltiazem, there was a dramatic response. Verapamil was ineffective in the fifth patient, who did not tolerate diltiazem. CONCLUSION: Long-term treatment with diltiazem, but not verapamil, is effective in calcinosis.

Spear tackler's spine. An entity precluding participation in tackle football and collision activities that expose the cervical spine to axial energy inputs.

We describe spear tackler's spine, a clinical entity that constitutes an absolute contraindication to participation in tackle football and other collision activities that expose the cervical spine to axial energy inputs. A subset of football players were identified who demonstrated: 1) developmental narrowing (stenosis) of the cervical canal; 2) persistent straightening or reversal of the normal cervical lordotic curve on erect lateral roentgenograms obtained in the neutral position; 3) concomitant preexisting posttraumatic roentgenographic abnormalities of the cervical spine; and 4) documentation of having employed spear tackling techniques. From data obtained by the National Football Head and Neck Injury Registry and the senior author's practice, 15 cases of spear tackler's spine were identified during 1987 to 1990. All 15 cases were evaluated because of complaints referable to the cervical spine or brachial plexus resulting from football injuries. Of these, 11 had complete neurologic recovery without permanent sequelae. Four cases resulted in permanent neurologic deficits: quadriplegia, 2; incomplete hemiplegia, 1; and residual long track signs, 1. Permanent neurologic injury occurred as the result of axial loading of a persistently straightened cervical spine from use of head-impact playing techniques. We suggest that individuals who possess the aforementioned characteristics of spear tackler's spine be precluded from participation in collision activities that expose the cervical spine to axial energy inputs.