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Cosedis Enevoldsen F, Therkildsen J, Klose-Jensen R, Lynggaard Elkjær A, Uggerby Næser E, Klicman RF, Thorup Aaen K, Søndergaard KH, Hauge EM. High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography for the assessment of acro-osteolysis and calcinosis in patients with systemic sclerosis. Joint Bone Spine 2024; 91:105699. [PMID: 38309517 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2024.105699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assist the development of future treatments in systemic sclerosis (SSc), the development of reliable outcome measures is pivotal. We aimed to evaluate the use of high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT (HR-pQCT) for visualization and gradation of acro-osteolysis (AO) and calcinosis compared to conventional hand radiographs (CR) in patients with SSc. METHODS HR-pQCT scans of the 2nd to 4th fingers, CR, nail fold capillaroscopy, and a clinical examination were conducted. Images were reviewed for the presence and degree of AO and calcinosis according to semiquantitative grading scales. RESULTS Forty patients were included. Fourteen had AO according to CR, whereas HR-pQCT revealed AO in 18 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of classifying patients as having AO by HR-pQCT when CR was used as reference were 93% (95% CI: 66-99%) and 80% (95% CI: 59-93%), respectively. By CR and with HR-pQCT as reference, the sensitivity and specificity were 72% (95% CI: 47-90%) and 95% (95% CI: 76-99%). Patients with AO had more or larger calcifications than patients without AO according to the proposed HR-pQCT grading system, with a median grade of 2 (IQR: 1-3) versus 0 (IQR: 0-1) (P<0.01). Grade 3 changes were observed exclusively in patients with AO (n=6/14, 42.9%). Assessment of AO and calcinosis by HR-pQCT demonstrated moderate to excellent test-retest reliability. CONCLUSION HR-pQCT allowed precise and reliable classification and grading of acro-osteolysis and acral calcinosis. The modality could prove helpful for detecting and monitoring these lesions as well as facilitating early diagnosis and guide treatment of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Cosedis Enevoldsen
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Central Denmark Region, Denmark.
| | - Josephine Therkildsen
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Central Denmark Region, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Central Denmark Region, Denmark
| | - Rasmus Klose-Jensen
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Central Denmark Region, Denmark
| | - Amanda Lynggaard Elkjær
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Central Denmark Region, Denmark
| | - Esben Uggerby Næser
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Central Denmark Region, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Central Denmark Region, Denmark
| | - Rikke Fuglsang Klicman
- Department of Radiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Central Denmark Region, Denmark
| | - Katja Thorup Aaen
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Central Denmark Region, Denmark
| | - Klaus Henrik Søndergaard
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Central Denmark Region, Denmark
| | - Ellen-Margrethe Hauge
- Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Central Denmark Region, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Central Denmark Region, Denmark
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Hughes M, Herrick AL. Diagnosis and management of systemic sclerosis-related calcinosis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2023; 19:45-54. [PMID: 36333952 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2023.2144835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Calcinosis is common in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and refers to the sub-epidermal deposition of calcium salts in the skin. SSc-related calcinosis is associated with significant morbidity, including through cutaneous ulceration and predisposition to become infected. AREAS COVERED After briefly addressing aetiopathogenesis, we describe the clinical burden of SSc-associated calcinosis and provide a structured and practical clinical approach to diagnosis and assessment, including discussion of the role of different imaging modalities. The multi-faceted treatment of SSc-associated calcinosis is presented under three broad headings of 'general measures,' and 'medical treatment' and 'surgical treatment.' We adopted a narrative approach to identify relevant manuscripts to inform our review. EXPERT OPINION SSc-related calcinosis is an area of major unmet clinical need and for too long has been a neglected area of research. Safe and effective treatments are badly needed to improve patient quality of life and outcomes. To facilitate future clinical trials, we require increased understanding of pathogenesis (to inform selection of potential targeted therapies) and reliable outcome measures, including those which will measure the impact and severity of calcinosis from the patient perspective. International collaborative research is ongoing to develop outcome measures and treatments for this potentially devastating complication of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hughes
- Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, the University of Manchester, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Ariane L Herrick
- Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, the University of Manchester, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.,NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Central Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, UK
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