Periostitis and hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy: report of 2 cases and review of the literature. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2009;38:458-466. [PMID: 18760449 DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2008.07.001]

Role of bisphosphonates in hypertrophic osteoarthropathy: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The role of bisphosphonates (BP) in hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HPOA) is unclear. We presented a case of primary HPOA and performed a systematic review of literature on the effect of BP on treatment response in primary and secondary HPOA.

METHODS

The study was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022343786). We performed a PubMed literature search that restricted to the English language. We included patients diagnosed with primary or secondary HPOA who received BP. The primary endpoint assessed was the effectiveness of BP on response to pain or arthritis. Secondary outcomes included timing, degree, and duration of response, comparison to other HPOA therapies, impact of BP on radiology, bone scan, bone turnover markers, and adverse effects of BP.

RESULTS

Literature search retrieved only case reports. Forty-five patients (21 primary, 24 secondary HPOA) had received BP. Majority(88.3%) experienced improvement in pain or arthritis. Response was gradual for primary HPOA and within a median of 3 to 7 days for secondary HPOA after treatment with BP. Most patients had reduced bone scan uptake after BP. When other HPOA therapies were tried, half responded to BP after not having previously responded to other therapies, while a third received the treatments concurrently, making it difficult to attribute treatment response to a drug. Reporting of other secondary outcomes was very heterogenous and qualitative to draw conclusions. No major adverse effects have been reported for BP in HPOA.

CONCLUSION

Bisphosphonates provide an effective and safe treatment option for primary and secondary HPOA. However, there is a lack of randomized controlled trials.

Pierre-Marie Bamberger Syndrome Leading to the Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of a Localized Lung Cancer

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA), manifested with digital clubbing, tubular bone periostosis, and large joint synovial effusions, exists in two forms: primary, which is the rarest form, and secondary. The latter is frequently associated with lung diseases and, in some cases, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is thus expressed in the form of a paraneoplastic syndrome. We report the case of a male smoker who was presented with secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy and was subsequently diagnosed with primary adenocarcinoma of the lung. A 63-year-old male with a history of ischemic heart disease and heavy tobacco consumption (60 pack-years) presented with painful osteoarthritis of all four extremities. A chest computed tomography (CT), a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, and a bronchoscopy revealed a 9 cm mass within the right lower lobe without mediastinal adenopathy. Bilateral lower limb X-rays revealed osteoarthropathy of the tibia. A right lower lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection were performed. Final histopathology analysis reported an advanced mixed pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 6. This report has highlighted the importance of clinical awareness of the association between HOA and carcinoma of the lung.

Paraneoplastic musculoskeletal disorders: review and update for radiologists

Rheumatic paraneoplastic syndromes are rare syndromes that occur at distant sites from the underlying tumor and may involve the bones, joints, fasciae, muscles, or vessels. In the absence of a known tumor, early recognition of a rheumatic syndrome as paraneoplastic permits dedicated work-up for, and potentially early treatment of an occult malignancy. Although there is a continuously growing list of paraneoplastic rheumatic disorders, not all of these disorders have a well-established association with a neoplastic process. The goals of this article are to review the clinical characteristics, diagnostic work-up, and imaging findings of well-documented rheumatic paraneoplastic disorders.

Paraneoplastic Arthritides: Insights to Pathogenesis, Diagnostic Approach, and Treatment

ABSTRACT

Paraneoplastic arthritides are a group of inflammatory rheumatic syndromes induced by an occult and manifest malignancy, characterized by a wide range of musculoskeletal signs and symptoms that masquerade other rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Although the pathogenesis of paraneoplastic arthritides is unknown, immune-mediated mechanisms can induce a paraneoplastic syndrome, with a dominant feature the polyarthritis. Common entities of paraneoplastic arthritides include paraneoplastic polyarthritis, hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema, palmar fasciitis and polyarthritis, and polyarthritis and panniculitis associated with pancreatic carcinoma. The electronic databases PubMed and Scopus were scrutinized using the following terms: paraneoplastic arthritis, paraneoplastic polyarthritis, or paraneoplastic rheumatic diseases. Abstracts, full articles, and selected references were reviewed. The aim of the present narrative review article was to describe the clinical characteristics, diagnostic evaluation, and management of paraneoplastic arthritides, and highlight the challenges that health care providers may encounter, distinguishing those conditions from other autoimmune rheumatic disorders. Future studies are needed to give insight into the mechanisms associated with paraneoplastic arthritides, leading to the development of novel diagnostic biomarkers.

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy in renal cell carcinoma - A case report

Background

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) is a rare clinical condition including an abnormal periosteal reaction in the long bones that causes painful swelling and tenderness of the extremities, digital clubbing, arthritis, synovitis, and joint effusions. Most cases are associated with tumorous conditions and most commonly with lung cancer. HOA has been rarely reported in association with other cancers.

Case

A patient with a history of recurrent renal cell carcinoma was referred to our clinic with bilateral leg pain, knee joint effusion, and arthritis. Simple radiography and bone scintigraphy confirmed a diagnosis of HOA. Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, joint fluid aspiration, and intra-articular injection of pain medications were found to be effective in the management of HOA pain.

Conclusions

HOA prognosis depends on the underlying disease, therefore, cancer treatment is critical. This case demonstrates the need to consider HOA in patients with various malignancies who present with bone or joint pain of the extremities.

Sudden onset polyarthritis as a paraneoplastic syndrome from non-small cell lung cancer

A 48-year-old male presented to the emergency room for 2 weeks of joint pain and swelling of his four extremities. His symptoms started suddenly and were quite debilitating. His hands, fingers, knees, and ankles were so swollen and painful that he was unable to get out of bed and had to use crutches to ambulate. He also complained of anorexia, nausea, and lack of energy over the past few months, but denied any other complaints. His only medical history was a traumatic left tibia fracture 1 year ago. The patient had a 30-pack year history of smoking tobacco and used marijuana daily.

The patient recently had an arthrocentesis at an outside hospital which was non-diagnostic and showed no infection. Given his symptoms, a thorough rheumatic workup was ordered. The ESR and CRP were elevated. ANA, rheumatoid factor, HLA B27, HIV, hepatitis panel, TSH, T4, Coombs antibodies, gonorrhea, chlamydia, CCP, alpha 1 antitrypsin, parvovirus, fungal antibodies, and myeloperoxidase antibodies were all within the normal range. X-rays of the hands, knees, and ankles were ordered. The images showed diffuse joint swelling with no fractures, dislocations, or hardware mispositioning. It also showed tissue swelling in the fingers that could not exclude hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy. A chest x-ray revealed a large 8.5 cm oval mass in the right upper lobe. A follow-up CT revealed a massive right upper lobe lung mass concerning for malignancy versus fungal etiology. A CT guided biopsy of the mass was performed and revealed a poorly differentiated non-small-cell lung cancer, favoring adenocarcinoma. Further CT imaging revealed limited stage disease. During the hospitalization, the patient was provided with NSAIDs for his joint pain, which provided minimal benefit. There was little to no improvement in his joint swelling. Oncology was consulted and further evaluation in the outpatient setting was recommended to determine if he would be a surgical candidate and/or to decide the best chemotherapeutic regimen. This case demonstrates an unusual presentation of non-small-cell lung cancer and highlights the importance of maintaining malignancy on the differential diagnosis for sudden arthritis.

Digital clubbing occurring in intrathoracic Hodgkin lymphoma: A case report

RATIONALE

Digital clubbing is rarely associated with lymphoma. This study reports a case of intrathoracic Hodgkin lymphoma with digital clubbing and reviews the current literature regarding the clinical characteristics of this condition.

PATIENT CONCERN

A 21-year-old woman presented with a 3-month history of cough and 1 month of fever, with apparent digital clubbing. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the lungs revealed a large pulmonary mass.

DIAGNOSIS

A CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy was conducted. Pathology determined a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent 6 courses of chemotherapy and intensification, followed by autografting.

OUTCOMES

The patient recovered and a complete hematological remission was obtained. The patient is alive with no evidence of disease 60 months after diagnosis, with the digital clubbing of the fingers and toes completely resolved.

CONCLUSION

Patients with digital clubbing and intrathoracic lesions need to be examined carefully to determine tumor malignancy.

Paraneoplastic syndromes in lung cancer and their management

Paraneoplastic syndromes are most frequently associated with lung cancer. This review considers a variety of paraneoplastic syndromes associated with lung cancer and discusses their pathophysiology, clinical features and management options.

Nociceptive pain unmasking a serious pathology - paraneoplastic hypertrophic osteoarthropathy: A case report

RATIONALE

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, also named Pierre Marie-Bamberger syndrome, represents a rare medical condition that may be considered either a primary or a secondary disease, and lung malignancies are responsible for more than two-thirds of the cases with secondary forms of the disease.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We present the case of a 41-year-old man referred to our Neurology Department for pain that was considered secondary to cervical disc protrusions. The neurologic examination was normal. However, the general examination showed digital clubbing, right lateral cervical adenopathy, and pachydermia. The radiographic examinations of the upper and lower limbs depicted osseous abnormalities typical for periostosis, and the computed tomography of the thorax showed the presence of a mass lesion in the right upper pulmonary lobe. High values of vascular endothelial growth factor were also found. The patient was admitted to the Pneumology Clinic, where biopsy was performed from the lateral cervical adenopathy.

DIAGNOSES

The anatomopathological examination revealed multiple neoplastic infiltrates suggestive of adenocarcinoma metastasis. Based on the clinical examination and radiological and histologic findings, the diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma with lymph nodes metastases and paraneoplastic hypertrophic osteoarthropathy was established.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient received treatment with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and opiate analgesics that relieved the pain.

OUTCOMES

The patient was referred to the Oncology Department for further treatment of the primary pathology. He received different types of chemotherapeutics, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, despite all therapeutic measures, the disease rapidly progressed and the patient died 9 months later.

LESSONS

This is an interesting case of a patient with an overlooked pathology, which was refereed to our clinic for further investigations of a pain that was considered neuropathic, secondary to small cervical protrusions. Conversely, the pain proved to be nociceptive and Pierre Marie-Bamberger syndrome was the positive diagnosis in our patient, as it can be associated with numerous diseases, especially of neoplastic origin.

Voriconazole-associated periostitis presenting as hypertrophic osteoarthropathy following lung transplantation report of two cases and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) is a syndrome characterized by abnormal proliferation of skin and osseous tissue frequently associated with underlying pulmonary disorders. Cardinal features include digital clubbing, periostitis and significant joint and bone pain. A number of recent reports have emerged of HOA and periostitis occurring in association with the antifungal agent voriconazole.

METHODS

We present two additional cases of voriconazole-induced HOA and periostitis in lung transplant recipients with a review the medical literature.

RESULTS

In both cases, symptoms were painful and severe enough to require opioid medication. Rapid improvement occurred within days of voriconazole cessation. A review of existing literature revealed an additional 17 cases of voriconazole-induced HOA and periostitis in lung transplant patients.

CONCLUSION

We highlight the importance of recognizing the association of voriconazole with painful HOA and periostitis in lung transplant patients receiving antifungal therapy. Management of this painful condition involves cessation of voriconazole therapy, which may necessitate alternative anti-fungal drug therapies as well as adjustment of immunosuppressive drug dosage since voriconazole is a strong drug-inducer.

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy mimicking a reactive arthritis: a case report and review of the literature

Background

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) is a syndrome characterized by abnormal proliferation of skin and periosteal tissues of the extremities. It can be a rare hereditary disease (pachydermoperiostosis) or can be secondary to various diseases, though mostly lung malignancies. Here, we report an unusual clinical presentation of HOA.

Case presentation

A 77-year-old man presented with fever, diarrhea, and an oligoarthritis involving the left knee and the ankles. Since left knee synovial fluid aspiration revealed an aseptic synovitis and Clostridium Difficile toxin was detectable in stool samples, a reactive arthritis secondary to a Clostridium Difficile induced colitis was initially suspected. However, the presence of a worsened digital clubbing and the lack of a good clinical response to steroid therapy led us to perform a radionuclide bone scanning, which revealed HOA. This turned out to be associated with a lepidic predominant lung adenocarcinoma, which was clinically and radiologically difficult to distinguish from a relapse of pneumonia.

Conclusion

Consistent with the literature, HOA tends to have a variable clinical presentation, mimicking that of various rheumatic diseases. This clinical case shows that HOA can present as a presumptive acute reactive arthritis, and it highlights the importance of patient’s follow-up in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis, especially when a worsened digital clubbing is present.

Secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy in a male from the Early Medieval settlement of Lauchheim, Germany

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) is rarely diagnosed in archaeological human skeletons. Here, we report on the well-preserved skeleton of a middle-adult man from the early Medieval settlement site of Lauchheim (Germany) that exhibits pronounced multi-layered shell-like periosteal new bone formation in a bilaterally symmetric fashion on the long bones, the skeletal elements of the pelvis and those of the pectoral girdle. In addition, the two distal phalanges recovered show signs of osteoclastic resorption on their distal tuberosities. The distribution and morphology of the observed lesions are consistent with a diagnosis of HOA. The adult age at death of the individual and the co-occurrence of "healed" and "active" lesions suggest a secondary form of HOA. Given that only skeletal remains were available for study, the underlying (pulmonary or non-pulmonary) primary disease cannot be definitively ascertained in the present case. No osseous changes were found on the ribs, but signs of osteoclastic resorption were observed on the dorsal surface of the sternal body, which might indicate a retrosternal or mediastinal location of the primary disease. Thus far, only a few archaeological case studies of secondary HOA reported signs of the presumed underlying primary disease, which was of a pulmonary nature in each of the individuals.

Impact of hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy on patients with lung cancer

Purpose

Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA) is a rare disease that most commonly occurs secondary to lung cancer. However, the clinical significance of HPOA remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of HPOA on patients with lung cancer in Taiwan.

Patients and methods

Data regarding lung cancer patients who demonstrated findings of HPOA on bone scintigraphy between 2010 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Pathological confirmation of cases was conducted at Chiayi and Kaohsiung Chang Gang Memorial Hospital. Clinical characteristics, including gender, smoking status, histology subtype, clinical stage, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status were investigated.

Results

We identified 69 lung cancer patients with typical HPOA findings on bone scintigraphy. Among them, 56 were male (81.2%) and 51 were ex-smokers or current smokers (73.9%). Adenocarcinoma was the most common histology subtype (n=42, 60.9%). Of 34 patients subjected to EGFR mutation analysis, only 4 (11.8%) had EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI)-sensitive mutations.

Conclusion

Male, smoking, and adenocarcinoma were the most common clinical characteristics of lung cancer patients with HPOA in our cohort. However, the proportion of EGFR-TKI-sensitive mutation cases was extremely low.

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy in a young adult male from Berber, Sudan (2nd-3rd century CE)

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) is a pathological condition characterised by extensive periosteal new bone formation (NBF) on the diaphyses of the long bones, metacarpal and metatarsal bones. In modern clinical contexts, the secondary form of the disease is common and most often occurs secondary to intra-thoracic cancer and other forms of chronic pulmonary disease. Paleopathological evidence for HOA on the other hand has only occasionally been reported. Here we report a young adult male from the Meriotic cemetery at Berber in Sudan (2nd-3rd century CE) displaying widespread NBF on the diaphyses of the upper and lower limb bones, metacarpal and metatarsal bones, as well as the pelvis and scapulae. While several pathological conditions have to be considered as differential diagnostic options for NBF in the post-cranial skeleton, HOA is the most likely diagnosis, based on the distribution of the changes observed in this individual, as well as their macroscopic and radiographic characteristics. A chronic pulmonary condition as indicated by NBF on the visceral side of the ribs may represent the underlying cause for the HOA. This individual represents the first paleopathological case of HOA reported from an archaeological site in Africa.

Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy: Clinical and Imaging Features

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) is a medical condition characterized by abnormal proliferation of skin and periosteal tissues involving the extremities and characterized by three clinical features: digital clubbing (also termed Hippocratic fingers), periostosis of tubular bones, and synovial effusions. HOA can be a primary entity, known as pachydermoperiostosis, or can be secondary to extraskeletal conditions, with different prognoses and management implications for each. There is a high association between secondary HOA and malignancy, especially non-small cell lung cancer. In such cases, it can be considered a form of paraneoplastic syndrome. The most prevalent secondary causes of HOA are pulmonary in origin, which is why this condition was formerly referred to as hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy. HOA can also be associated with pleural, mediastinal, and cardiovascular causes, as well as extrathoracic conditions such as gastrointestinal tumors and infections, cirrhosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Although the skeletal manifestations of HOA are most commonly detected with radiography, abnormalities can also be identified with other modalities such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and bone scintigraphy. The authors summarize the pathogenesis, classification, causes, and symptoms and signs of HOA, including the genetics underlying the primary form (pachydermoperiostosis); describe key findings of HOA found at various imaging modalities, with examples of underlying causative conditions; and discuss features differentiating HOA from other causes of multifocal periostitis, such as thyroid acropachy, hypervitaminosis A, chronic venous insufficiency, voriconazole-induced periostitis, progressive diaphyseal dysplasia, and neoplastic causes such as lymphoma. ^©RSNA, 2016.

A case of severe arthralgia with malignant mesothelioma‐associated hypertrophic osteoarthropathy

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) is a rare syndrome characterized by the abnormal proliferation of dermato‐osseous tissue. We report a rare case of malignant mesothelioma‐associated HOA who suffered from refractory painful osteoarthropathy. HOA can be associated with malignant mesothelioma and that may be resistant to any treatment.

Paraneoplastic syndrome demonstrated on 99mTc-HMDP bone scan

A 23-year-old man, with no relevant medical history, presented with inflammatory peripheral and axial polyarthritis, wrist pain, and persistent low-grade fever for the past 4 months. A bone scintigraphy showed intense periosteal early and delayed uptake in long bones, with normal uptake in the spine, pelvis, and rib cage, and no clear focus of hypermetabolism. CT scan revealed a mediastinal mass. A biopsy of the mass demonstrated Hodgkin lymphoma with bulky disease. This paraneoplastic syndrome as the first sign of intrathoracic Hodgkin's disease is rare.

A skeletal case of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy from the Canary Islands dating from 1000 BP

A left tibia, the distal right tibia, and the proximal four fifths of the right ulna and radius, probably belonging to an adult prehispanic man (antiquity of ≈1000 years BP) were found among commingled bone remains in a collective burial cave of the island of El Hierro, in the Canary Archipelago. All four bones show an intense periosteal bone formation, encrusting the preserved cortical bone of the diaphyses. Differential diagnosis include melorheostosis, syphilis, and leprosy, although the most likely diagnosis is hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, which is usually associated with lung neoplasm or non-malignant diseases leading to chronic hypoxemia. The marked bone proliferation, possibly due to a chronic condition, suggests that possibly the underlying illness was a non-malignant one.

Hypertrophic Pulmonary Osteoarthropathy in Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)-positive Lung Cancer

A 49-year-old man was admitted to a hospital with chest pain and polyarthralgia. Chest radiography showed abnormal findings, and chest computed tomography showed a mass in the right lung. A transbronchial lung biopsy led to a diagnosis of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive adenocarcinoma. Bone scintigraphy revealed bilateral symmetrical accumulations of (99m)Technetium complexes in the long bones, suggesting co-existing hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPO). The patient underwent four courses of chemotherapy with cisplatin plus pemetrexed, which led to decreased (99m)Technetium accumulations in the long bones. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of HPO associated with ALK-positive lung cancer.

Non-traumatic calcifications/ossifications of the bone surface and soft tissues of the wrist, hand and fingers: a diagnostic approach

In the absence of obvious trauma, the calcifications/ossifications of the bone surface and soft tissues of the wrist, hand and fingers can be challenging and may not be noticed or lead to unnecessary examinations and monitoring. Although these are usually benign conditions and despite a favorable spontaneous outcome, surgical resection may be required and recurrence may occur. In practice, only paraneoplastic syndromes such as secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (Pierre Marie-Bamberger syndrome) may reveal a malignant tumor, most often pulmonary. We suggest a diagnostic approach based on the initial clinical presentation (acute pain, chronic pain, growth±pain) and the radiological features.

Paraneoplastic syndromes associated with lung cancer

Paraneoplastic syndromes are signs or symptoms that occur as a result of organ or tissue damage at locations remote from the site of the primary tumor or metastases. Paraneoplastic syndromes associated with lung cancer can impair various organ functions and include neurologic, endocrine, dermatologic, rheumatologic, hematologic, and ophthalmological syndromes, as well as glomerulopathy and coagulopathy (Trousseau’s syndrome). The histological type of lung cancer is generally dependent on the associated syndrome, the two most common of which are humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy in squamous cell carcinoma and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion in small cell lung cancer. The symptoms often precede the diagnosis of the associated lung cancer, especially when the symptoms are neurologic or dermatologic. The proposed mechanisms of paraneoplastic processes include the aberrant release of humoral mediators, such as hormones and hormone-like peptides, cytokines, and antibodies. Treating the underlying cancer is generally the most effective therapy for paraneoplastic syndromes, and treatment soon after symptom onset appears to offer the best potential for symptom improvement. In this article, we review the diagnosis, potential mechanisms, and treatments of a wide variety of paraneoplastic syndromes associated with lung cancer.

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy in patient with Crohn's disease: a case report

Numerous causes of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) have been reported. Commonly, secondary osteoarthropathy accompanies pulmonary diseases such as carcinoma of the lung, pleural tumors, lung abscesses, and bronchiectasis. However, HOA in inflammatory bowel disease is a rare complication. There are only a few reports of secondary HOA with Crohn's disease. Our purpose was to report another case of HOA in Crohn's disease. We describe a case of a 27-year-old man with underlying Crohn's disease presenting with 2 years of pain in multiple joints. Radiographic findings suggested HOA in extremities. We performed a conservative treatment including medication and rehabilitations. The patient's symptoms were much improved at the latest follow-up. Although numerous studies on HOA have been published, the pathogenesis of HOA is still unclear. Various treatment modalities were recommended but further studies to uncover the pathogenesis of HOA with Crohn's disease and to establish a treatment modality are needed.

Paraneoplastic hypertrophic osteopathy in 30 dogs

Paraneoplastic hypertrophic osteopathy (pHO) is known to occur in both canine and human cancer patients. While the pathology of pHO is well-described in the dog, very little information exists regarding the true clinical presentation of dogs affected with pHO. The primary objective of this study was to provide a more comprehensive clinical picture of pHO. To this end, we retrospectively identified 30 dogs and recorded data regarding presenting complaints and physical examination (PE) findings on the date of pHO diagnosis. As a secondary objective, any blood test results were also collected from the computerized records. The most common clinical signs included leg swelling, ocular discharge and/or episcleral injection, lameness, and lethargy. The most common haematological and serum biochemical abnormalities included anaemia, neutrophilia and elevated alkaline phosphatase. In addition to presenting a more detailed clinical description of pHO in the dog, these data support the previously described haematological, serum biochemical and PE abnormalities published in individual case reports.

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy: what a rheumatologist should know about this uncommon condition

This article presents an updated overview of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy and digital clubbing for the practicing rheumatologist. Discussion includes a brief historical perspective, its definition, incidence and prevalence, classification, pathology and pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, demographics, findings on physical examination, imaging techniques for its detection, differential diagnosis, and treatment modalities.

Digital clubbing

Digital clubbing is an ancient and important clinical signs in medicine. Although clubbed fingers are mostly asymptomatic, it often predicts the presence of some dreaded underlying diseases. Its exact pathogenesis is not known, but platelet-derived growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor are recently incriminated in its causation. The association of digital clubbing with various disease processes and its clinical implications are discussed in this review.

[Bronchial carcinoma and knee pain. Secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy]

Secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA), also known as Marie-Bamberger syndrome, is a rare neoplastic syndrome featuring clubbing of the tips of the digits, periosteal proliferation and synovial effusion of adjacent joints. We report a case where a patient without any other known medical condition developed persistent arthralgia and mobility restriction after bruising the left knee. As the initial X-ray examination of the knee showed a distinct periosteal proliferation of the left femoral bone, extended diagnostics were initiated during which a bronchial carcinoma was identified. After surgical removal of the primary tumor the symptoms of irritation in the knee joint recovered totally.

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy as a clinical manifestation of lung cancer

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy is a paraneoplastic syndrome most often found in non-small cell lung cancer. Diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of clubbing on physical examination and periostitis on bone scintigram, and the syndrome generally resolves with treatment of the underlying malignancy. This article presents a case study and describes symptom management options, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, octreotide, and bisphosphonates.

Pain management in hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy: an illustrative case and review

Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HOA) is a condition associated with lung cancer and many other diseases. Pain associated with HOA can be disabling, unremitting, and refractory to conventional analgesic medications. We present a challenging case of HOA in a patient with nonsmall cell lung cancer and review specific therapies for management of HOA-related pain.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma and hypertrophic osteoarthropathy with improvement following resection of esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer usually presents late and carries a grave prognosis. Early diagnosis dramatically improves outcomes, and hence recognition of the varied presenting features, including hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA), may be important. Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy is a rare manifestation of esophageal adenocarcinoma and indeed may herald the presence of this neoplasm, as it did in the case we present. A 59-year-old man presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of inflammatory wrist, ankle, and knee arthritis, and imaging revealed changes of HOA. He reported dysphagia mainly to solids, and endoscopic biopsy showed adenocarcinoma. Cancer resection treatment led to clinical resolution of his musculoskeletal symptoms. This case highlights the importance of recognition of HOA as a feature of this increasingly common cancer.

Writing a narrative biomedical review: considerations for authors, peer reviewers, and editors

Review articles comprehensively covering a specific topic are crucial for successful research and academic projects. Most editors consider review articles for special and regular issues of journals. Writing a review requires deep knowledge and understanding of a field. The aim of this review is to analyze the main steps in writing a narrative biomedical review and to consider points that may increase the chances of success. We performed a comprehensive search through MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science using the following keywords: review of the literature, narrative review, title, abstract, authorship, ethics, peer review, research methods, medical writing, scientific writing, and writing standards. Opinions expressed in the review are also based on personal experience as authors, peer reviewers, and editors.

Treatment of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy with zoledronic acid: case report and review of the literature

OBJECTIVES

Zoledronic acid (ZA) is rarely used to manage hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA). We report our experience with ZA treatment of a patient with HOA and sarcoidosis who had also undergone lung transplant. We also conducted a literature review of the usefulness of bisphosphonates in HOA.

METHODS

We performed a PubMed literature search using keywords HOA, periostitis, bisphosphonate, ZA, sarcoidosis, and lung transplant. A PRISMA flow diagram is presented to depict the data collection process, and a case is reported.

RESULTS

A 62-year-old woman with bilateral lung transplant as a result of severe pulmonary sarcoidosis developed severe limb pain and inflammatory polyarthritis. HOA was diagnosed in the presence of periostitis with the symptoms. Failure of the refractory bone and joint pain to respond to low doses of prednisone, tramadol, or even pamidronate infusion prompted a trial of a single dose of intravenous ZA. Surprisingly, the pain completely resolved without recurrence. A total of 12 cases of HOA treated with bisphosphonates were retrieved from the literature and reviewed.

CONCLUSIONS

Bisphosphonates are generally effective therapy for HOA-related pain. ZA may be even more efficacious and longer lasting than pamidronate for management of the bone and joint pain associated with HOA irrespective of the underlying disorders.

Medication-induced periostitis in lung transplant patients: periostitis deformans revisited

We report five cases of diffuse periostitis resembling hypertrophic osteoarthropathy and perostitis deformans in lung transplantation patients on chronic voriconazole, a fluoride-containing compound. Although drug-related periostitis has long been known, the association of lung transplant medication with periostitis was only recently introduced in the literature. To our knowledge, imaging findings have not been fully characterized in the radiology literature. Imaging features along with clinical history help to distinguish this benign condition from other disease entities. In this article, we review the current literature and illustrate the variety of imaging characteristics of this entity so that interpreting radiologists can make accurate diagnoses and avoid unnecessary work up.

Review of current therapies for secondary hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) is a disabling condition that may occur secondarily to primary lung cancer. It is characterized by digital clubbing, arthralgia/arthritis, and periostosis of the tubular bones. The pain associated with HOA can be disabling and often refractory to conventional analgesics. We performed a comprehensive review of the literature using the PubMed database on treatment modalities available for HOA. We found 52 relevant articles-40 case reports, six case series, two review papers, and four combined case series and review papers. There were no randomized controlled trials reported. We then classified treatments used for HOA into two categories: (1) treatment of primary cause (i.e., resection of tumor, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, treatment of infection, etc.) and (2) symptomatic treatments (i.e., bisphosphonates, octreotide, NSAIDs, vagotomy, etc.). Subsequently, we summarized the main findings for each treatment. Although the clinical diagnosis of HOA has existed for over 100 years, the pathogenesis mechanism has not yet been elucidated, and treatment options for this condition remain experimental. Primary treatment is the most widely reported modality to be efficacious. In cases which primary therapy is not possible, several symptomatic treatment modalities are suggested, with various degree of success. Further research is needed to clarify the pathophysiological mechanism of HOA as to appropriately direct therapy.