Kaposi's sarcoma in HIV-infected patients: when and how should we evaluate bone involvement?

HIV and Orthopaedics: Musculoskeletal Manifestations and Outcomes

➤Advances in combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) in recent years have transformed HIV infection into a chronic disease when treatment is available, increasing a patient's life expectancy and the chances that orthopaedic surgeons will encounter such patients in their clinical practice.➤Musculoskeletal manifestations in patients with HIV infection are common and sometimes are the initial presentation of the disease. Knowledge about neoplasms and associated conditions affecting muscle, bones, and joints is essential for successful management.➤Since the advent of cART, total joint arthroplasty has been shown to be a safe procedure; however, perioperative infection is still a small risk in patients with uncontrolled viral loads or CD4 counts of <400 cells/mm(3).➤With regard to trauma surgery, the rates of early and late infection around implants, as well as union rates, are comparable with those in the HIV-negative population; however, there is an increased risk of pulmonary, renal, and infectious or septic complications in the polytrauma setting.➤Factors such as CD4 count, nutritional status, cART therapy, viral load count, and other comorbidities (hemophilia, infection among intravenous drug users, etc.) should be considered when treating these patients in order to optimize their clinical outcomes.

Update on imaging of non-infectious musculoskeletal complications of HIV infection

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) results from infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), producing an immunodeficient state and severe pathology across multiple organ systems. Musculoskeletal involvement is particularly prevalent in this population with both infectious and non-infectious complications encountered, but it is suggested that the latter will affect 72% of HIV-infected individuals. In this review we aim to provide an update on the imaging characteristics of the non-infectious manifestations. The conditions include HIV-related arthritis as well as various malignancies, myositis, anaemia, osteonecrosis, rhabdomyolysis, hypertrophic osteoarthropathy and therapy-related side effects. For the clinician, the diagnostic challenge lies in differentiating disease-related symptoms from therapy-related side effects, particularly when clinical and laboratory features can be non-specific. This is especially difficult following the widespread introduction of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). Imaging investigations and MRI in particular have proven vital for facilitating early diagnosis and enabling prompt treatment. Furthermore, wider availability of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) has allowed whole-body assessment for staging and treatment response of malignancy. Understanding the pathogenesis of the various conditions and recognising their imaging features is essential for the clinical radiologist.

Clinical challenge: cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma of the lower extremity

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) typically presents as multiple bilateral cutaneous patches or plaques of the lower extremities. This malignancy, however, can evolve with atypical presentation masquerading as a chronic wound. Lesions can mimic venous stasis ulcers, arterial insufficiency, vascular ulcers or chronic-infected wounds. With acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated KS, lesions are even more widespread, and can affect the respiratory tract, lymph nodes, gastrointestinal tract, spleen, liver and, rarely, bone. As the initial diagnosis of KS is generally determined clinically, a high index of suspicion is necessary for all patients with a known or suspected history of HIV/AIDS. Tissue biopsy with histological analysis is essential for all wound types in this patient subset, regardless of wound presentation. The purpose of this report is to review the pathogenesis as well as the typical and atypical presentations of KS with an example of a diagnostic dilemma.

Kaposi sarcoma in unusual locations

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a multifocal, vascular lesion of low-grade malignant potential that presents most frequently in mucocutaneous sites. KS also commonly involves lymph nodes and visceral organs. This article deals with the manifestation of KS in unusual anatomic regions. Unusual locations of KS involvement include the musculoskeletal system, central and peripheral nervous system, larynx, eye, major salivary glands, endocrine organs, heart, thoracic duct, urinary system and breast. The development of KS within wounds and blood clots is also presented. KS in these atypical sites may prove difficult to diagnose, resulting in patient mismanagement. Theories to explain the rarity and development of KS in these unusual sites are discussed.