Upper Cervical Compression Myelopathy Caused by the Retro-Odontoid Pseudotumor With Degenerative Osteoarthritis and Calcium Pyrophosphate Dihydrate Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review

The retro-odontoid pseudotumor is often concurrent with atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS). Therefore, the pseudotumor is relatively common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but rare in primary osteoarthritis (OA). This is a case report of an elderly male patient suffering from neck pain and compression myelopathy caused by the craniocervical pseudotumor with OA but without atlantoaxial instability. He had long-lasting peripheral and spinal pain treated by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Imaging found upper cervical spondylosis without AAS or dynamic instability but with periodontoid calcifications and ossifications, suggesting calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition. Based on a comprehensive literature search and review, CPPD disease around the atlantodental joint is a possible contributor to secondary OA development and retro-odontoid pannus formation through chronic inflammation, which can be enough severe to induce compression myelopathy in non-RA patients without AAS. The global increase in the aged population advises caution regarding more prevalent upper cervical spine disorders associated with OA and CPPD.

The effect of therapy on subclinical atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries in patients with calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease and osteoarthritis (pilot study)

Endothelial dysfunction associated with chronic microcrystalline inflammation plays a role in the progression of atherosclerosis in calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition diseases (CPPD).The aim of the study was to assess the dynamics of the development of atherosclerosis based on changes in the thickness of the intima-media complex (ICIM) of the carotid arteries (CA) in patients with CPPD receiving long-term anti-inflammatory therapy (colchicine, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine).Materials and methods. 26 patients with CPPD and 26 patients with osteoarthritis aged over 18 years old were included. Exclusion criteria: age >65 years; presence of cardiovascular diseases. The blood lipid spectrum, hs-CRP level, anthropometric parameters were determined for all, and Doppler ultrasound ultrasonography of the carotid arteries (CA) was performed. Patients were followed up for not <6 months, assessed ICIM CA at 1 visit, then patients with CPPD, at the discretion of the attending physician, were prescribed methotrexate at a dose of 15 mg per week, hydroxychloroquine 200 mg 1 time per day or colchicine 0.5 mg 2 times a day. Patients could take NSAIDs if they were in pain. The SCORE index has been calculated for everyone.Results. Initially, ICIM values did not differ in patients with CPPD and OA. Initially, ICIM>0.9 mm were detected in 11 of 22 (50%) patients with CPPD and in OA in 8 of 19 (42%) (p=0.39). In dynamics, patients with CPPD revealed a decrease in the number of patients with ICIM>0.9 mm from 42 to 18%. At the same time, in 8 patients with CPPD, ICIM>0.9 mm was combined with a CRP level >0.2 mg/l. Out of 22 patients with CPPD, 14 (64%) patients showed a decrease in the mean values of ICIM, in 2 (9%) patients - an increase, in 5 patients the mean values of ICIM did not change. After 6 months of therapy, out of 11 patients with CPPD with ICIM >0.9 mm, after 6 months of therapy, in 7 cases there was a decrease in the indicator less than the specified value, in 5 of them a decrease in serum CRP level <2 mg/l was recorded. In patients with CPPD, the serum CRP level significantly decreased; in patients with OA, it did not change. Out of 19 patients with OA, 9 (47%) patients showed an increase in the mean ICIM over time, while the rest did not change. In those treated with hydroxychloroquine, a decrease in the mean ICIM parameters was observed in 5 out of 6 (83%) patients, colchicine - in 6 out of 9 (67%) patients, methotrexate - in 4 out of 7 (57%) patients.With CPPD, the result of therapy with colchicine, methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine in relation to the development of the initial signs of atherosclerosis according to Doppler ultrasound ultrasonography of CA can be realized based on the presence of chronic inflammation.

MODIFICATION OF CALCIUM PHOSPHATE FOAM CERAMICS WITH BIOAPATITE IN SBF SOLUTION

Получена многофазная кальцийфосфатная пенокерамика, представленная Д -трикальцийфосфатом (65 %) и Д -пирофосфатом кальция (25 %), включающая гидроксиапатит ( 5 %) и а -трикальцийфосфат ( 5 %), пористостью 60 - 64 % со сквозной архитектурой пенополиуретана. Нанесение слоя гидроксиапатита приводило к увеличению содержания гидроксиапатита до 25 %, а -трикальцийфосфата до 40 %, и повышению статической прочности до 0,03 МПа при снижении пористости до 49 %. Нанесение второго слоя гидроксиапатита способствовало повышению содержания гидроксиапатита до 40 %, статическая прочность достигала 0,05 МПа при пористости 40%. Формирование биоапатита в виде слоя «пеносфер» размером от 2 до 10 мкм происходило в процессе модифицирования всех видов пенокерамики в растворе SBF в течение 21 - 28 суток. Модифицированная кальцийфосфатная пенокерамика, обогащенная а -трикальцийфосфатом и гидроксиапатитом, характеризовалась максимальной статической прочностью 0,08 МПа при пористости 38%. The multiphase calcium phosphate foam ceramics, represented by р -tricalcium phosphate (65 %) and р -calcium pyrophosphate (25 %), including hydroxyapatite (5 %) and а -tricalcium phosphate (5%), with 60 - 64% porosity and a through architecture of polyurethane foam was obtained. The application of a layer of hydroxyapatite led to an increase in the content of hydroxyapatite to 25 %, а -tricalcium phosphate to 40%, and an increase in static strength to 0,03 MPa with a decrease in porosity to 49%. The application of the second layer of hydroxyapatite promoted an increase in the content of hydroxyapatite to 40%, the static strength reached 0,05 MPa at a porosity 40 %. The bioapatite formation in the shape of «foam spheres» with a size from 2 to 10 pm occurred in the process of modifying all types of foam ceramics in a SBF solution during 21 - 28 days. The modified calcium phosphate foam ceramics enriched with а -tricalcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite, was characterized by the maximum static strength 0,08 MPa at a porosity 38 %.

Effect of colchicine, methotrexate, and hydroxychloroquine therapy on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease

Anti-inflammatory therapy, such as colchicine (COL), has been suggested to affect the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease (CPPD).Objective: to study the effect of anti-inflammatory therapy with COL, hydroxychloroquine (HC), and methotrexate (MT) on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CPPD.Patients and methods. The study included 305 patients with CPPD, the majority (62.30%) were women. The average follow-up period was 3.9±2.7 years. Among factors influencing cardiovascular outcome were considered: gender; age; smoking; alcohol intake >20 conventional doses per week; arterial hypertension; a history of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), in particular ischemic heart disease, acute myocardial infarction, acute cerebrovascular accident, chronic heart failure >III stage according to NYHA, as well as type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM); body mass index >25 kg/m2 and >30 kg/m2; cholesterol level (CHOL) >5.1 mmol/l; glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2; serum uric acid level >360 μmol/l; hypercalcemia (serum calcium level >2.62 mmol/L); CRP level >2 mg/l; the presence of hyperparathyroidism (parathyroid hormone level >65 pg/ml); CPPD phenotypes (asymptomatic, osteoarthritis with calcium pyrophosphate crystals, chronic arthritis, acute arthritis); intake of COL, HC, MT, glucocorticoids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).Results and discussion. 264 patients were under dynamic observation. Any of the studied cardiovascular events were registered in 79 (29.9%) patients. During the observation period, 46 (17.4%) patients died, in 76.1% of cases the cause of death was CVD. Death from other causes was diagnosed in 11 (23.9%) patients. Non-fatal cardiovascular events were reported in 44 (16.7%) cases. The risk of cardiovascular events was higher in patients over 65 years of age (odds ratio, OR 5.97; 95% confidence interval, CI 3.33–10.71), with serum cholesterol levels ≥5.1 mmol/L (OR 1,95; 95% CI 1.04–3.65), GFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (OR 2.78; 95% CI 1.32–5.56), history of CVD (OR 2,32; 95% CI 1.22–4.44). COL therapy reduced the risk of cardiovascular events (OR 0.20; 95% CI 0.11–0.39).Conclusion. Poor CVD outcomes in CPPD are associated with age, hypercholesterolemia, chronic kidney disease, and a history of CVD. The use of COL, in contrast to MT and HC, was accompanied by a decrease in cardiovascular risk.

Outcomes and Resource Utilization in Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease Patients Who Underwent Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Background: To evaluate the predictors, outcomes and resource utilization of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) patients. Methods: We used the US National Inpatient Sample database to identify CPPD and non-CPPD who underwent TKA from 2006 to 2014. Data collection included patient demographics and comorbidities. Outcomes following TKA included in-hospital mortality, complications, length of hospitalization, hospital charges, and disposition.Results: Among the 5,564,005 patients who have undergone TKA, 11529 (0.20%) had CPPD, with a median age of 72 years and 53.7% were females. Compared with non-CPPD, patients with CPPD were more likely to be older (mean: 72 vs 66 years; p<0.001), male, white, and have Medicare insurance. CPPD patients were more likely to have ≥ 2 comorbidities calculated by the Charlson comorbidity index and discharge to an inpatient/rehabilitation facility. Regarding inpatient complications, myocardial infarction and knee reoperation were significantly more common in CPPD patients. TKA in CPPD patients was associated with significantly higher odds of increased length of stay (>3 days) than those without CPPD (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.37-1.49). There was no significant difference in the in-hospital mortality.Conclusions: CPPD patients who underwent TKA were more likely to have a longer hospital stay and discharge to a non-home setting than non-CPPD. Also, CPPD patients had a higher comorbidity burden, and greater risk for myocardial infarction and need for reoperation.

Multilevel calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition in cervical ligamentum flavum: clinical characteristics and imaging features

Background Involvement in cervical ligamentum flavum is a rare manifestation of the calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease. Only few cases of this condition have been reported. We revealed eighteen cases of CPPD in cervical ligamentum flavum that diagnosed at a single medical center. In our case series, clinical characteristics and magnetic resonance imaging findings of patients are described. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts and imaging studies of the eighteen patients with pseudogout attack of the cervical ligamentum flavum. In addition, we discussed the differences between this disease and ossification of ligamentum flavum in image manifestations. Results There were fourteen men and four women aged between 59 and 87 years. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were the most common comorbidities. Myelopathy and neck pain were presented in most patients. C4–5 and C5–6 were attacked most frequently, and multiple- rather than single-level involvement could be observed in our series. “Acute on chronic phenomenon” was a specific magnetic resonance image finding in patients whose symptom durations were between 2 to 5 months. Compared to ossification of ligamentum flavum, calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition had different image signs, including morphology, side of the involved ligament, no continuity with the lamina, acute on chronic phenomenon, and presence of retro-odontoid mass. Conclusions Nodular calcifications in cervical ligamentum flavum raise highly suspicion for calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition and must be diagnosed by histological examination and polarized light microscopy. This disease is different from ossification of ligamentum flavum, and it could be recognized by specific image features.

The prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis of carotid arteries in patients with calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease and osteoarthritis (pilot study)

To this date there have been no studies of subclinical atherosclerosis in the patients with calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease (CPPD); in osteoarthritis (OA) such works are rare.Objective: to assess the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis of carotid arteries (CA) in patients with CPPD and OA.Patients and methods. The case-control study included 26 patients with CPPD and OA. The diagnosis of CPPD was based on the criteria of D.J. McCarty, diagnosis of OA was based on national clinical practice guidelines. We recorded data on smoking, blood pressure level. Assessed blood lipid spectrum, serum levels of glucose, creatinine, uric acid, CRP. Obesity was diagnosed in accordance with the WHO recommendations. All patients underwent CA Doppler ultrasonography (DUS). An increase in intima-media thickness (IMT) >0.9 mm was considered a manifestation of subclinical atherosclerosis. The SCORE index was calculated for all patients.Results and discussion. The median serum CRP level was comparable in CPPD and OA. The CRP level >5 mg/L was detected in 8 patients with CPPD and in 3 patients with OA (p=0.09). Initial signs of atherosclerosis were present in 11 (42%) patients with CPPD and in 8 (31%) patients with OA (p=0.39). In CPPD, an increase in IMT was associated with a CRP level of ≥5 mg/L in 19% of cases, and in OA – in 12.5% (p=0.08). An increase in IMT >1.3 mm was not found in patients of both groups.Conclusion. In patients with CPPD and OA, subclinical atherosclerosis is often present according to the CA ultrasound. Early detection of uncomplicated subclinical atherosclerosis in CPPD and OA is necessary for timely initiation of treatment aimed to prevent the progression of atherosclerosis and the development of cardiovascular diseases.