[Role of biopsy of the accessory salivary glands in Löfgren's syndrome and other forms of sarcoidosis]

Neurological diseases of unknown etiology: Brain-biopsy diagnostic yields and safety

BACKGROUND

For nonneoplastic neurological diseases, no recommendation exists regarding the place or appropriate timing of brain biopsy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety of brain biopsies from patients with neurological diseases of unknown etiology.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2018. We analyzed 1847 brain-biopsied patients, including 178 biopsies indicated for neurological diseases of unknown etiology. Specific histological and final diagnosis rates, positive diagnosis-associated factors, complication rate and complication-associated factors were assessed.

RESULTS

Specific histological diagnosis and final diagnosis rates were 71.3% and 83.1%, respectively, leading to therapeutic management change(s) for 75.3% of patients. Brain- biopsy-related mortality and permanent neurological morbidity occurred in 1.1% and 0.6% of the patients, respectively. The multivariable logistic-regression model retained (odds ratio [95% CI] only immunodepression (2.2 [1.1-4.7]; P=.04) as being independently associated with specific histological diagnosis, while supratentorial biopsy-targeted lesions (4.1 [1.1-15.2]; P=.04) were independently associated with a final diagnosis. Biopsies obtained from comatose patients were less contributive to the diagnosis (0.2 [0.05-0.7]; P=.01). Prebiopsy platelet count <100 G/L (28.5 [1.8-447]; P=.02), hydrocephalus (6.3 [1.2-15.3]; P=.02) and targeted lesions <1 cm (4.3 [1.2-15.3]; P=.03) were independently associated with brain biopsy-related complications.

CONCLUSION

For highly selected patients with neurological diseases of unknown etiology, brain biopsy has a high diagnostic yield and low frequency of severe complications. We advocate that this procedure be considered early in the diagnosis algorithm of these patients.

Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis: a model of medical progress for a fatal disease

Hereditary amyloidogenic transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (also known as familial amyloid polyneuropathy) is a condition with adult onset caused by mutation of transthyretin (TTR) and characterized by extracellular deposition of amyloid and destruction of the somatic and autonomic PNS, leading to loss of autonomy and death. This disease represents a model of the scientific and medical progress of the past 30 years. ATTRv amyloidosis is a worldwide disease with broad genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity that presents a diagnostic challenge for neurologists. The pathophysiology of the neuropathy is increasingly understood and includes instability and proteolysis of mutant TTR leading to deposition of amyloid with variable lengths of fibrils, microangiopathy and involvement of Schwann cells. Wild-type TTR is amyloidogenic in older individuals. The main symptoms are neuropathic, but the disease is systemic; neurologists should be aware of cardiac, eye and kidney involvement that justify a multidisciplinary approach to management. Infiltrative cardiomyopathy is usually latent but present in half of patients. Disease-modifying therapeutics that have been developed include liver transplantation and TTR stabilizers, both of which can slow progression of the disease and increase survival in the early stages. Most recently, gene-silencing drugs have been used to control disease in the more advanced stages and produce some degree of improvement.

[Prevalence of granulomatous lesions in minor salivary gland biopsy in a case series of 65 patients with tuberculosis]

PURPOSE

The distinction between tuberculosis (TB), a worldwide infectious granulomatosis requiring specific antibiotic therapy, and sarcoidosis, a rare granulomatous disease that may require corticosteroids is not straightforward and may result in diagnostic and therapeutic delay.

METHODS

We prospectively and consecutively evaluated the presence of epithelioid granulomas in minor salivary gland biopsy of 65 consecutive patients with TB.

RESULTS

In our study, 10.8 % of our TB patients had epithelioid granulomas without caseous necrosis identified in their minor salivary gland biopsy, regardless of the location of TB, HIV status and whether or not the sputum examination was positive for tuberculous bacilli.

CONCLUSION

The presence of epithelioid granulomas in minor salivary gland biopsy may not be helpful to the clinician to rule out TB in a patient with suspected sarcoidosis.

Biopsie conjonctivale : une aide précieuse pour le diagnostic de sarcoïdose

PURPOSE

To highlight the advantages of conjunctival biopsy in order to confirm the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

CASE REPORT

A 78-year-old woman presented with unilateral vitreitis. The examination of the conjunctive of right and left eyes revealed multiple, translucent, pale yellow nodules the size of millet grains located in the lower fornix. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was suspected by an increased level of angiotensin-converting enzyme and bilateral hilar lymphadenopathies. A biopsy from conjunctival nodules showed noncaseating epithelioid and gigantocellular granulomas, confirming the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

CONCLUSION

Although underused, conjunctival biopsy seems to be both a safe and effective tool in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis diagnosed in elderly subjects: retrospective study of 30 cases

STUDY OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the clinical features and disease course of sarcoidosis diagnosed in patients > 70 years of age.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was made of cases treated at the University Hospital in Nantes, France, between 1986 and 2000. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was confirmed histopathologically. Cases involving progressive cancer and active tuberculosis were excluded.

RESULTS

Thirty white patients with sarcoidosis diagnosed after age 70 years (mean, 74 years) were included. An alteration of general health (asthenia and/or anorexia and/or weight loss) was frequent (53%) and characteristic of the systemic form of the disease. Dyspnea was a fairly common sign (23%). The intrathoracic form of sarcoidosis was most frequent (43.3%). Diagnosis was difficult and lengthy, and symptomatology was atypical. Accessory salivary gland biopsy was an important contributing factor to diagnosis (70.6% were positive). Oral corticosteroid therapy was often required (60.7%). The disease course was satisfactory overall (81.8% of cases), but only for 50% of patients in intrathoracic stage IV.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical presentation of sarcoidosis in elderly subjects is mainly characterized by an alteration of general health. Diagnosis is difficult and should include accessory salivary gland biopsy. Therapy frequently involves corticosteroids. Overall prognosis is similar to that for young subjects.