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Butryn M, Neumann J, Rolfes L, Bartels C, Wattjes MP, Mahmoudi N, Seeliger T, Konen FF, Thiele T, Witte T, Meuth SG, Skripuletz T, Pawlitzki M. Clinical, Radiological, and Laboratory Features of Spinal Cord Involvement in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9051482. [PMID: 32423153 PMCID: PMC7290729 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9051482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: To identify radiological and laboratory hallmarks in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) presenting with spinal cord involvement. Methods: Clinical and laboratory routine parameters were analyzed in a retrospective multicenter case series of four patients who developed myelitis associated with pSS. Serological and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) measurements of pSS associated anti-SSA(Ro)-antibodies were initiated, and CSF neurofilament light chain (NFL) levels were assessed. NFL values were compared with results from 15 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Radiological assessment was performed using multi-sequence spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Three of the four patients initially developed neurological signs suggestive of myelitis and were subsequently diagnosed with pSS. All patients presented a longitudinal spinal T2-hyperintense lesion in the cervical spinal cord, whereas only two patients showed pleocytosis and oligoclonal bands in the CSF. Median (range) CSF-NFL levels were significantly elevated in patients compared to controls (6672 pg/mL (621–50,000) vs. 585 pg/mL (357–729), p = 0.009). One patient showed sustained, highly increased NFL levels (50,000 pg/mL) in the initial assessment when radiological signs of axonal injury were still absent. Anti-SSA(Ro)-antibodies were found in the serum of three patients, while two patients additionally presented intrathecal anti-SSA(Ro)-antibody production. Elevated CSF-NFL levels and intrathecal synthesis of anti-SSA(Ro)-antibodies were associated with a relapsing and treatment-resistant disease course. Conclusion: Inflammatory spinal cord lesions associated with pSS are a rare but serious disease leading to severe disability. NFL and anti-SSA(Ro)-antibodies in CSF might serve as prognostic biomarkers and should be routinely assessed in patients with pSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Butryn
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.B.); (J.N.); (C.B.)
| | - Jens Neumann
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.B.); (J.N.); (C.B.)
| | - Leoni Rolfes
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, 41849 Münster, Germany; (L.R.); (S.G.M.)
| | - Claudius Bartels
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.B.); (J.N.); (C.B.)
| | - Mike P. Wattjes
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (M.P.W.); (N.M.)
| | - Nima Mahmoudi
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (M.P.W.); (N.M.)
| | - Tabea Seeliger
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (T.S.); (F.F.K.)
| | - Franz F. Konen
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (T.S.); (F.F.K.)
| | - Thea Thiele
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (T.T.); (T.W.)
| | - Torsten Witte
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (T.T.); (T.W.)
| | - Sven G. Meuth
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, 41849 Münster, Germany; (L.R.); (S.G.M.)
| | - Thomas Skripuletz
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (T.S.); (F.F.K.)
- Correspondence: (T.S.); (M.P.)
| | - Marc Pawlitzki
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; (M.B.); (J.N.); (C.B.)
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, 41849 Münster, Germany; (L.R.); (S.G.M.)
- Correspondence: (T.S.); (M.P.)
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