Steroids and aseptic osteonecrosis (AON) in migraine patients

Secondary osteonecrosis of the knee as a part of long COVID-19 syndrome: a case series

COVID-19 infection affects different organ systems with long-term sequelae, which has been termed as long COVID-19 syndrome. To the best of our knowledge, osteonecrosis of the knee as a part of long COVID-19 syndrome has not been documented. Corticosteroids are being used extensively in moderate and severe cases of COVID-19. We report two cases who developed osteonecrosis of the knee after being treated for COVID-19 infection. In our case series, the mean cumulative dose of prednisolone was 1156.5 mg (900-1413 mg), which is less than the cumulative dose reported in literature for osteonecrosis of the knee. In our case series, the patients developed symptomatic osteonecrosis at a mean interval of 73 days after initiation of steroid therapy, with the earliest presenting at 25 days. Early diagnosis of osteonecrosis of the knee on high clinical suspicion by MRI would help in early intervention with bisphosphonate therapy.

Avascular necrosis after oral corticosteroids in otolaryngology: Case report and review of the literature

Objective:

In this report, we present a rare case of avascular necrosis (AVN) in an otherwise healthy 42-year-old male patient treated with low dose oral corticosteroids for his bronchitis. A systematic review of the literature related to AVN and corticosteroids was performed.

Case Report:

Forty-two-year-old male with no underlying conditions predisposing him to AVN who had been treated four years before for chronic bronchitis with two courses of oral prednisone therapy presented with bilateral AVN of the hips.

Methods:

An OVID database search of the terms “low total dose,” “corticosteroids,” and “avascular necrosis” was performed. Two PubMed searches of various permutations of “low-dose,” “corticosteroids,” “avascular necrosis,” and “osteonecrosis” were also performed. Results were then narrowed to relevant articles.

Results:

Median total dose of oral corticosteroids in patients with AVN in reviewed articles was 981 mg, with lowest reported association at 105 mg. Median duration of therapy was 16 days with shortest course of six days.

Conclusion:

There is emerging data linking AVN with corticosteroid doses previously thought to be safe. After reviewing the relevant literature, it is our consensus to inform all patients regarding AVN before oral corticosteroid use.

Steroid induced osteonecrosis: An analysis of steroid dosing risk

Osteonecrosis is a serious condition involving bone destruction that frequently requires surgical treatment to rebuild the joint. While there is an abundance of literature documenting corticosteroid related osteonecrosis, there is no consensus as to the relative risk of osteonecrosis after administration of steroids via parenteral, oral, topical, inhaled and other routes. This risk is an important prognostic indicator because identification and conservative intervention can potentially reduce morbidity associated with aggressive surgical treatment of osteonecrosis. This paper provides insight into establishing guidelines related to the risk of developing osteonecrosis as a result of corticosteroid use. Case studies, retrospective studies and prospective studies in humans on different corticosteroids and varied dosages were assessed. Most cases of osteonecrosis are secondary to systemically administered corticosteroids and/or high dose daily therapy, particularly in patients with underlying comorbidities including connective tissue diseases, hyperlipidemia, or previous trauma. Previous case reports of osteonecrosis related to inhaled or topical use of steroids are complicated by the fact that in the great majority of cases, the patients are also treated with systemic steroids prior to the development of osteonecrosis. Based on the literature, a set of recommendations regarding the risk of osteonecrosis in patients on steroids was formulated.

Post-infectious new daily persistent headache may respond to intravenous methylprednisolone

New daily persistent headache (NDPH) is a subtype of chronic daily headache (CDH) that starts acutely and continues as a daily headache from the onset. It is considered as one of the most treatment refractory of all headache syndromes. The pathophysiology is largely unknown. Viral infections, extracranial surgery, and stressful life events are considered as triggers for the onset of NDPH. A few patients may have the onset of their symptoms during an infection. Here we report nine patients with NDPH like headache. All of them had a history suggestive of extracranial infections a few weeks prior to the onset of headache. All patients received intravenous methyl prednisolone (IV MPS) for 5 days. Intravenous MPS was followed by Oral steroids for 2–3 weeks in six patients. The relief of headache started between the second and fifth days of infusion in all patients. The steady improvement in headache continued and seven patients experienced almost complete improvement within 2 weeks. Two other patients showed complete improvement between 6 and 8 weeks after initiation of IV MPS therapy. We conclude that NDPH-like headache may occur as a post infectious process following a recent infection. We also speculate on the possible mechanisms of headache in our patients.

Treating migraine in the emergency department

Corticosteroids do not relieve acute pain but do reduce recurrence