Cervical destructive spondyloarthropathy due to thedialysis-related amyloidosis: imaging findings: A case report

Abstract

Dialysis-related amyloidosis that occurs secondary to the deposition of amyloid fibrils containing beta-2-microglobulin, is a type of amyloidosis affecting patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis. It involves the osteoarticular system predominantly. Destructive spondyloarthropathy, is a type of dialysis-related spondyloarthropathy, which frequently involves the cervical spine, have been reported only sporadically. We describe a case of a destructive spondyloarthropathy, in a 43-year-old longterm hemodialysis patient, presenting with myelopathy with particular interest to cervical computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Keywords

Introduction

Dialysis-related amyloidosis that consists of the deposition of amyloid fibrils containing beta-2-microglobulin, is a type of amyloidosis affecting patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis. It affects the osteoarticular system predominantly. The most common manifestations are arthropathy of the axial skeleton, knees, shoulders, hips and carpal tunnel syndrome.¹ Dialysisrelated spondyloarthropathy has been divided into three types: destructive spondyloarthropathy (DSA), amyloid deposition in spinal ligaments, and pseudotumor of the craniocervical junction (amiloidoma). DSA, which frequently affects the cervical spine, have been reported only sporadically. We describe a case of a DSA, in a long-term hemodialysis patient, presenting with myelopathy with particular interest to cervical computed
tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.

Case Presentation

A 43-year-old man who had chronic renal failure secondary to unknown etiology presented with loss of strength in the legs and disturbances while walking. He had been receiving hemodialysis for 29 years. Cervical vertebral computed tomography (CT) scans showed narrowing in the cervical 2 (C2) - cervical 3 (C3) intervertebral space, and osteolytic areas with peripheral sclerosis in the laminae and pedicules of the various vertebrae (Figure 1). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed thickening and decreased signal intensity on both T1and T2-weighted images, in the posterior longitudinal ligament and ligamentum flavum. Scattered increased signal intensity of the spinal cord was seen secondary to compression of thickened ligaments and narrowing of the spinal canal (Figure 2). No contrast was given because of the patient’s poor glomerular filtration rate. The patient was operated. Histopathological examination revealed amyloid deposits and the presence of intense beta-2-microglobulin fibrils (Figure 3). Informed consent was obtained from the patient for using his data.

Materials and Methods

DSA is characterized by erosions of the anterosuperior and/or anteroinferior aspects of the vertebral body, severe narrowing of the intervertebral disk space and erosions and cysts of adjacent vertebral plates, with absence of significant osteophyte formation, radiographically. In advanced stages of the disease, subluxation, listhesis, or vertebral body collapse may occur.² CT is the best modality for detecting osseous erosion or small areas of osteolysis in cortical bone. CT can demonstrate the distribution and extent of the destructive changes.² In the case presented here, areas of osteolysis with peripheral sclerosis in the cervical vertebral bodies, laminae, and pedicles were demonstrated by CT (Figure 1). MRI shows the extent and distribution of osseous, articular, spinal cord and soft-tissue involvement, adding to the information obtained from radiographic and CT images. MRI may show amyloid deposits in the intervertebral disk, in the synovium of
apophyseal joints, and in the ligaments. Although bone lesions show decreased signal intensity on T1-weighted images in most patients, T2-weighted images show various signal intensity patterns that range from hypointense to hyperintense. The variability in signal intensity is probably caused by the combination of amyloid deposits and fluid collection within the subchondral lesions. Identification of an intraosseous lesion with low signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted images is helpful in the diagnosis of amyloidosis. After the gadolinium-based contrast material injection, the bone lesions usually show moderate enhancement.³ Compression of the spinal cord and myelopathy caused by extradural deposition and thickening of ligaments may occur.³ MRI is well suited, as in the case presented here, for assessing the compression of the spinal cord and myelopathy, caused by the thickening of ligamentum flavum and posterior longitudinal ligament (Figure 2). The diseases of the differential diagnosis usually includes spondylodiscitis, metastatic malignancy, multiple myeloma, secondary hyperparathyroidism (renal osteodystrophy), ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, and cervical spondylosis. In some cases, it can be difficult to differentiate changes secondary to dialysis-related amyloidosis from spondylodiscitis. In spondylodiscitis, involved structures show decreased signal intensity on T1-weighted MR images and in most cases increased signal intensity on T2- weighted and STIR images. Low signals present in T2-weighted images helps the exclusion of an infection.³ Brown tumors of hyperparathyroidism are sometimes difficult to differentiate from amyloid cysts in dialysis patients. The location of the bone lesions is helpful.⁴ Also, cysts tend to increase in number and size associated with the duration of dialysis.³ In the metastatic disease, lesions are more diffuse and less circumscribed compared with dialysis-related amyloidosis. Multiple myelomas can be differentiated from dialysis-related amyloidosis by urine
and serum protein electrophoresis. A bone scan may be used for detecting other locations, and magnetic resonance imaging has been recommended to assist with the diagnosis.⁵ Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament can be recognized by the presence of calcifications on the plain radiography and/or CT.⁶ In the cervical spondylosis, features related to the cervical spine and intervertebral space, such as osteophyte formation and intervertebral space narrowing are evident. The gold standard of the diagnosis is the histological identification of beta-2-microglobulin, a major constituent of amyloid fibrils, in the material which is obtained by surgery. The pathology diagnosis is made with hematoxylin-eosin and Congo red. Under polarized light, these areas exhibit characteristic applegreen birefringence.¹ (Figure 3). In the treatment, medical therapy is limited to symptomatic approaches to reduce pain and inflammation. In the patients suffering from cervical pain may be referred for surgical evaluation. For relieving of the pain, surgical procedures, such as circumferential reconstructive surgery involving pedicle screw fixation, anterior strut bone grafting, posterior and/or anterior decompression, posterior nerve root decompression or spinous process wiring may perform, due to the severity and involvement of the disease.⁷ The best treatment of hemodialysisrelated amyloidosis is renal transplantation. Renal transplantation can provide a very rapid symptomatic relief and prevents the progression of the disease. However, the effect of transplantation on existent amyloid depositions is controversial.⁸

Conclusion

In the long-term dialysis patients, imaging diagnosis is necessary for the evaluation of dialysis-related amyloidosis before serious complications arise. The changes of the vertebral body, ligaments, facet joints and intervertebral spaces in dialysis-related amyloidosis and the complications due to these changes, can recognize and identify by CT and MRI.

Declarations

References

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