Synovitis in angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia simulating rheumatoid arthritis

Lymphomes T angio-immunoblastiques

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma most often affects the elderly. Patients present with generalized lymphadenopathy and systemic symptoms; half also have hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and a rash. Polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, and anemia are the main laboratory abnormalities. Autoimmune phenomena (including autoimmune hemolytic anemia, immunologic thrombocytopenia, and autoantibodies) are common. Lymph node biopsy is needed to confirm this diagnosis. Genetic analysis that reveals a monoclonal T-cell population is also relevant. The underlying immune deficiency explains the frequency of infections. Most patients are treated with combination chemotherapy. Autologous stem cell transplantation is proposed to the youngest. Immunosuppressive drugs may be appropriate for elderly or relapsing patients. The overall 5-year survival rate is 30%.

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma-associated arthritis: case report and literature review

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with systemic manifestations, including fever, lymphadenopathy, rash, and rarely arthritis. We report the case of a patient who presented with symmetric inflammatory polyarthritis and skin nodules resembling rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The patient responded initially to low-dose prednisolone, but 12 months later, he developed typical features of AITL. The characteristics of AITL-associated arthritis from 16 additional cases from the English literature are also reviewed. AITL-associated arthritis is an uncommon manifestation of angioimmunoblastic lymphoma that can mimic RA, especially when the typical systemic features of lymphoma are absent. This type of arthritis should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with an inflammatory polyarthritis.

High-dose cyclophosphamide for severe systemic lupus erythematosus

Cytotoxic therapy is a cornerstone for patients with severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). High-dose cyclophosphamide, 200 mg/kg, can induce a complete remission without the need for stem cell rescue in patients with autoimmune illnesses. Here we report on our first four patients treated for severe SLE with this treatment approach. Patients received cyclophosphamide, 200 mg/kg, divided over 4 days. Starting day 10, patients received filgrastim, 5 micrograms/kg/day, until their absolute neutrophil count (ANC) rose to 10.0 x 10(9)/l for two consecutive days. Disease activity as evaluated by scores from the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure-2, the SLE Disease Activity Index and the Responder Index for Lupus Erythematosus were completed before and after high-dose therapy. Before high-dose cyclophosphamide, SLE disease duration ranged from 8 to 21 (mean 12.5) years. Their average disease activity measured by SLAM-2 and SLEDAI was 15.5 (range 11-19) and 23.25 (range 20-26), respectively. At a median of 22 (range 12-39) months of follow-up, mean disease activity measured by SLAM-2 and SLEDAI decreased to 6.25 and 7.75, respectively. All patients experienced febrile neutropenia. No long-term morbidities or mortalities were observed. High dose cyclophosphamide is a therapy capable of decreasing disease severity in poor prognosis SLE patients. Future study is warranted for both refractory patients as well as primary therapy for patients with moderate to severe disease presentations.

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma with eosinophilia presenting as monoarthritis: a case study

Direct involvement of the joints is unusual in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). This may pose a diagnostic problem for pathologists, especially since synovial localization can disclose NHL. In the following case of T-cell NHL with eosinophilia, we point out the essential importance of clonality analysis on frozen tissue to distinguish between synovial NHL and specific inflammatory damage.

Polyarthritis, rash and lymphadenopathy: case reports of two patients with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy presenting to a rheumatology clinic

Two patients presented with a symmetrical inflammatory polyarthropathy. Both patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy. We present the two case histories and review the current literature. Although an uncommon disease, the diagnosis of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy should be considered in a patient presenting with polyarthritis and skin rash.

Arthritis as a presenting feature of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Leukaemia can present with joint swelling in the absence of abnormal haematological findings. Arthritis as a presenting sign of lymphoma, however, is extremely rare. Three children with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who had joint swelling at the onset of their disease are reported. Two cases showed histological features of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (Ki-1/CD30 positive), and one of angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma. In all patients the unusual presentation delayed correct diagnosis.

Rheumatic manifestations of dysproteinemias and lymphoproliferative disorders

Rheumatic manifestations may be the presenting features of dysproteinemias and lymphoproliferative disorders. Disease or therapy-related complications may mimic a number of primary rheumatic syndromes. This article emphasizes clinical aspects pertaining to prompt diagnosis and therapy.

Rheumatological manifestations of haematological diseases

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Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with disproteinemia arising in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with disproteinemia (AILD) is a systemic lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by constitutional symptoms such as generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly and skin rash. In this article, we report on a patient with seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis of 18 years duration who recently developed AILD.

Lymphomatous polyarthritis in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma

Direct involvement of the joints is a rare complication of malignant lymphoma and lymphoma cells in synovium or synovial fluid have been characterized in only a very few cases. We report two cases of CD4-positive, HTLV-I-negative peripheral T-cell lymphomas that manifested polyarthritis infiltrated with lymphoma cells which we further characterized. Patient 1, with a prior 7-year history of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides) and polyarthralgia, developed pain and swelling in the right knee joint and right femoral region. Patient 2 was initially diagnosed with immunoblastic lymphadenopathy, later rediagnosed as the prodromal stage of T zone lymphoma. Seven years later she developed skin eruptions, cervical lymph node swelling, polyarthritis, and pleural effusion. Synovial fluid analysis in both cases showed predominant CD3+ or cytoplasmic CD3+, CD4+, and CD8- atypical lymphoid cell infiltration. In both cases the T-cell receptor beta and gamma chains were rearranged in the synovial fluid mononuclear cells. Analysis of these two cases and a review of the literature suggest that lymphoma cell infiltration of synovium occurs preferentially in patients with CD4+ peripheral T-cell lymphoma.