Low bone mineral density and peripheral blood monocyte activation profile in calcium stone formers with idiopathic hypercalciuria.

Calcium stone formers (CaSF) with idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) have been shown to have decreased bone mineral density (BMD). The mechanism of their bone loss remains obscure. Monokines like interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and granulocyte macrophage stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are involved in bone remodeling, but only IL-1 excess has been incriminated in the bone loss of CaSF with IH. Therefore, to more precisely delineate the role of monocyte activation in the pathogenesis of bone loss in these patients, we studied the production of IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and GM-CSF by unstimulated or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cultured peripheral blood monocytes in 15 CaSF with IH, in 10 CaSF with dietary calcium-dependent hypercalciuria (DH), and in 10 healthy controls (C). Cytokines were measured in the culture medium by sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and vertebral BMD by single energy computed tomography. The decrease of vertebral BMD in IH compared with DH, was confirmed (Z score: -1.2 +/- 0.2 vs. -0.5 +/- 0.2; P = 0.04; Mann-Whitney). In the supernatant of unstimulated peripheral blood monocytes, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha levels were higher in IH than in C (respectively, 40 +/- 21 vs. 7 +/- 1 pg/mL, P = 0.008 and 236 +/- 136 vs. 39 +/- 23 pg/mL, P = 0.03); those of GM-CSF were greater in IH than in DH and C (respectively, 52 +/- 27 vs. 6 +/- 2, P = 0.04 and 6 +/- 2 pg/mL, P = 0.01) and those of IL-6 were not significantly different among the groups. After in vitro stimulation by LPS (10 micrograms/mL), the levels of the various monokines were not significantly different. In IH patients, the post-LPS levels of IL-6 were negatively correlated to vertebral BMD (n = 15, Z = -1.97, P = 0.04; Spearman), whereas those of GM-CSF were positively related to vertebral BMD (n = 15, Z = 2.01, P = 0.04). In this study, calcium stone formers with IH have bone mineral decrease and a particular profile of peripheral blood monocytes activation. This latter is characterized by a spontaneously increased synthesis of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and GM-CSF. Furthermore, post-LPS levels of IL-6 and GM-CSF are correlated with vertebral BMD. These results suggest that monocyte activation may be involved in the bone loss of calcium stone formers with IH.

[Value of imaging in early diagnosis of peripheral vein tumors]. / Apport de l'imagerie dans le diagnostic précoce des tumeurs veineuses périphériques.

Peripheral venous tumors are uncommon and their delayed clinical expression leads to poor prognosis. We report a series of 7 cases including 6 leiomyosacromas and 1 hemangioendothelioma. Duplex Doppler and MR imaging appeared to be best suited for diagnosis, allowing an evaluation of extension and an analysis of associated endoluminal thrombi. These imaging techniques help guide surgery and improve prognosis.

[Long-term stability of bone mineral density in patients with renal transplant treated with cyclosporine and low doses of corticoids. Protective role of cyclosporine?]. / Stabilité à long terme de la densité minérale osseuse des transplantés rénaux sous ciclosporine et faibles doses de corticoïdes. Rôle protecteur de la ciclosporine?

OBJECTIVES: Cyclosporine has been thought to have a deleterious effect on bone in transplant recipients because of high turnover osteopenia observed in humans after transplantation. However, varying confounding factors such as renal and parathyroid function, cumulative steroid doses and previous exposure to aluminium, also play a role and hinder interpretation of the cyclosporine effect on bone mineral density (BMD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 2-year prospective study was conducted to measure BMD starting 3 months after transplantation and bone remodeling markers from the first post-transplantation day in 52 kidney recipients with no prior exposure to aluminum. None of the patients experienced rejection and at 3 months all had good stable renal function (serum creatinine 137 mumol/l) and mildly elevated parathyroid hormone levels (1.5 times the upper limit of normal). All patients were given the same low dose steroid treatment (10 mg/day) and at 6 months cyclosporine was decreased from 7 to 4.8 mg/kg/day. RESULTS: BMD measured by double energy X-ray absorptiometry, (DEXA) and expressed in Z score, was moderately decreased at 3 months for the vertebrae (-1.40), the femoral neck (-1.34) and the ultradistal radius (-0.95) which have predominantly cancellous bone and was significantly less decreased (p < 0.05) for the lower third of the radius (-0.6) which is mainly cortical bone. BMD measurements were comparable at 6, 12 and 24 months. When measured by axial computerized tomography (ACT) BMD of the vertebrae showed a non-significant increase of Z score from -1.37 to -1.19 at 2 years. Bone remodeling markers was observed up to month 6 (from month 3 for osteocalcine and from month 1 for total and bone alkaline phosphatase and urinary pyridinoline), then returned to baseline levels at 2 years in parallel with decreased cyclosporine dosage. The increase of vertebral BMD measured by ACT at 1 year was correlated both to cyclosporine dose at 1 year and to bone alkaline phosphatase at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Our data confirm the presence of moderate osteopenia 3 months after transplantation, predominantly in trabecular bone, logically linked to the initial high doses of corticosteroids. The long-term stability of BMD measured by DEXA and the correlation of vertebral BMD increase measured by ACT with cyclosporine dose and bone alkaline phosphate suggest that cyclosporine had a beneficial immunosuppressor effect by stimulating bone remodeling and thus counterbalancing the suppressive effect of corticosteroids.

[Pulmonary cavitated opacity in immunocompromised patient]. / Opacité pulmonaire excavée chez un patient immunodéprimé.

Lung abscesses are uncommon in legionellosis and usually are observed in immunocompromised patients. The radiographic presentation may lead to misdiagnosis and subsequently to increased mortality.