The frequency and characteristics of ultrasonographic ankle joint involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus: A prospective cross-sectional single-center study.

The involvement of ankles in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has not been widely studied. The aim of our prospective study was to determine the characteristics of the ankle joint and tendon involvement in SLE using ultrasound (US) as an imaging modality. Sixty consecutive patients with SLE underwent a detailed clinical evaluation and US examination. Gray-scale and power Doppler US of the bilateral tibiotalar (TT) joints, subtalar (ST) joints, and ankle tendons were performed using a multiplanar scanning technique. Joint effusion, synovitis, tenosynovitis, enthesitis, and vascularization were assessed according to the OMERACT recommendations. The Total Ankle Ultrasound Score (TAUSS) was calculated as the sum of the grades of joint effusion and synovial hypertrophy for both TT and ST joints bilaterally (ranging from 0-24) and power Doppler activity was assessed separately. Finally, US findings were correlated with physical evaluation, laboratory parameters, and SLE activity scores. US ankle joint involvement was present in 32/60 (53.3%) patients. TT joints were affected in 26 (43.3%) and ST joints in 16 (26.7%) patients. Thirteen (21.7%) patients had US tendons and/or enthesal involvement. TT joint effusion was the most frequent finding, present in 55/240 (22.9%) examined joints, followed by synovial hypertrophy detected in 18/240 (7.5%) joints. The median (interquartile range; range) TAUSS of the US-affected joints was 1 (0-2; range 1-10). There were no significant correlations between US findings and inflammatory parameters or serological parameters of disease activity, but we found a weak positive correlation between TAUSS and the European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement (r = 0.281, P = .029). This study revealed a high prevalence of pathological US ankle changes in patients with SLE and a positive correlation between ankle US involvement and disease activity score (European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement).

Successful IL-17A inhibitor cycling in psoriatic arthritis patient: a case report and a literature review.

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis with heterogeneous disease presentation. The most affected clinical domain of the disease determines the therapeutic approach. We report the case of a 34-year-old man with all six crucial domains of psoriatic arthritis (psoriasis, peripheral arthritis, axial skeletal manifestations, dactylitis, nail changes, and enthesitis) treated unsuccessfully with conventional synthetic DMARDs, NSAID's, and steroids as well as topical treatment and phototherapy. With golimumab as the first line of bDMARD partial remission was achieved. After 24 months the treatment was switched to secukinumab due to secondary inefficacy. The psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis relapsed after 21 months of treatment with secukinumab. The patient was cycled to ixekizumab with an excellent result. IL-17A inhibitor cycling may be a successful treatment option in some difficult to treat psoriatic arthritis patients.

Tuberculosis of the Oral Cavity Misdiagnosed as Precancerous Lesion.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this case report was to discuss an extremely rare oral lesion as a result of primary pulmonary tuberculosis. CASE REPORT: In this case report, the patient with refractory painless ulceration at ventral surface of the tongue was described. Detailed medical history was taken followed by clinical examination of the oral mucosa and palpation of regional lymph nodes. Clinical examination revealed ulceration on the patient's ventro-lateral surface of the tongue, approximately two centimeters in diameter. Palpation of regional lymph nodes has not revealed enlargement. The toluidine blue test of the suspected lesion was performed at each control examination. Biopsy samples for histopathologic diagnosis were taken three times. The analysis of the first biopsy sample for histopathology revealed a non-specific inflammation, the second biopsy revealed a caseous necrosis without positive Ziehl-Neelsen staining and the third biopsy revealed a granulomatous inflammation which was highly suspicious of sarcoidosis. During hospitalization, the patient underwent a complete physical examination, and laboratory and radiological diagnostics. Physical chest examination revealed bilaterally coarse crepitations and laboratory findings of his complete blood count revealed normocytic anemia of chronic disease. Radiographic examination of lungs showed multiple small nodules bilaterally and positive direct sputum smear. CONCLUSION: Although oral tuberculosis is a rare condition, it must be taken into account in differential diagnosis of refractory painless oral ulcers.