Brown tumor complicating end-stage kidney disease

Calcified Maxillary Fibroma in a Patient on Hemodialysis for Seven Years

Background

The presentation of mineral bone disorder (MBD) in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may vary. Consequently, physicians should be capable of recognising this condition when there is a suspicion of its existence. This case report will describe a calcified maxilla tumour as a manifestation of CKD-MBD.

Case description

Initially asymptomatic, a 32-year-old female presented with progressive swelling of the upper left jaw. She had a history of routine haemodialysis. Further laboratory, radiological, and histopathological workup revealed the mass was indeed calcified maxillary fibroma arising from the manifestation of CKD-MBD.

Conclusion

This study underscores the significance of clinical comprehension of the broad-spectrum manifestations of CKD-MBD, including an initially asymptomatic mass. In addition, the screening of the patient's biochemical was required to determine the necessity of early intervention and improve the patient's outcome.

LEARNING POINTS

The case emphasises the importance of recognising atypical presentations of chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD), such as a calcified mass, which are rarely reported but critical for timely intervention.This report underscores the necessity for routine screening for secondary hyperparathyroidism in CKD patients, as early detection can significantly impact patient outcomes.Surgical management of the overlying mass and underlying parathyroid gland hyperplasia should always be considered in the management of the symptomatic CKD-MBD patient.

Brown Tumor of the Dorsal Spine With Hemorrhage Causing Acute Neurological Deterioration: A Rare Presentation of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism

Brown tumor due to secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease is a well-established entity. Brown tumor of the spine with hemorrhage causing acute neurological deficit is a rare entity. A 35-year-old gentleman, with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis, presented with acute paraplegia and loss of lower limb sensation and bowel and bladder control. Imaging revealed a T8 vertebral body expansile lytic lesion with collapse, exaggerated kyphosis, and cord compression. He underwent an emergency decompressive laminectomy and transpedicular corpectomy of T8, with posterior stabilization. Histopathology revealed lobular clusters of osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells with background of which was possibly the reason for acute neurological deterioration in this case. Brown tumors of the spine can mimic lytic lesions of the spine like myeloma and metastasis. Suspicion must be raised given in the setting of CKD and hyperparathyroidism. They can present with hemorrhage and acute neurological deficit, which warrants urgent surgical intervention for optimal outcomes.

Extravertebral low back pain: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common reasons for consultation in general practice. Currently, LBP is categorised into specific and non-specific causes. However, extravertebral causes, such as abdominal aortic aneurysm or pancreatitis, are not being considered.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed across MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane library, complemented by a handsearch. Studies conducted between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2020, where LBP was the main symptom, were included.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 6040 studies, from which duplicates were removed, leaving 4105 studies for title and abstract screening. Subsequently, 265 publications were selected for inclusion, with an additional 197 publications identified through the handsearch. The majority of the studies were case reports and case series, predominantly originating from specialised care settings. A clear distinction between vertebral or rare causes of LBP was not always possible. A range of diseases were identified as potential extravertebral causes of LBP, encompassing gynaecological, urological, vascular, systemic, and gastrointestinal diseases. Notably, guidelines exhibited inconsistencies in addressing extravertebral causes.

DISCUSSION

Prior to this review, there has been no systematic investigation into extravertebral causes of LBP. Although these causes are rare, the absence of robust and reliable epidemiological data hinders a comprehensive understanding, as well as the lack of standardised protocols, which contributes to a lack of accurate description of indicative symptoms. While there are certain disease-specific characteristics, such as non-mechanical or cyclical LBP, and atypical accompanying symptoms like fever, abdominal pain, or leg swelling, that may suggest extravertebral causes, it is important to recognise that these features are not universally present in every patient.

CONCLUSION

The differential diagnosis of extravertebral LBP is extensive with relatively low prevalence rates dependent on the clinical setting. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for extravertebral aetiologies, especially in patients presenting with atypical accompanying symptoms.

Brown Tumour in Chronic Kidney Disease: Revisiting an Old Disease with a New Perspective

Osteitis fibrosa cystica (OFC) and Brown Tumours are two related but distinct types of bone lesions that result from the overactivity of osteoclasts and are most often associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Despite their potential consequences, these conditions are poorly understood because of their rare prevalence and variability in their clinical manifestation. Canonically, OFC and Brown Tumours are caused by secondary hyperparathyroidism in CKD. Recent literature showed that multiple factors, such as hyperactivation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and chronic inflammation, may also contribute to the occurrence of these diseases through osteoclast activation. Moreover, hotspot KRAS mutations were identified in these lesions, placing them in the spectrum of RAS-MAPK-driven neoplasms, which were until recently thought to be reactive lesions. Some risk factors contributed to the occurrence of OFC and Brown Tumours, such as age, gender, comorbidities, and certain medications. The diagnosis of OFC and Brown Tumours includes clinical symptoms involving chronic bone pain and laboratory findings of hyperparathyroidism. In radiological imaging, the X-ray and Computed tomography (CT) scan could show lytic or multi-lobular cystic alterations. Histologically, both lesions are characterized by clustered osteoclasts in a fibrotic hemorrhagic background. Based on the latest understanding of the mechanism of OFC, this review elaborates on the manifestation, diagnosis, and available therapies that can be leveraged to prevent the occurrence of OFC and Brown Tumours.

A rare case of "Brown tumor" of the axis with parathyroid adenoma and tertiary hyperparathyroidism

"Brown tumors (BTs)" of the spine are benign rare lesions, seen in about 5%-13% of all patients with chronic hyperparathyroidism (HPT). They are not true neoplasms and are also known as osteitis fibrosa cystica or occasionally osteoclastoma. Radiological presentations are often misleading and may mimic other common lesions such as metastasis. A strong clinical suspicion is therefore necessary, especially in the background of chronic kidney disease with HPT and parathyroid adenoma. Surgical spinal fixation in case of instability due to pathological fracture may be required along with excision of the parathyroid adenoma being the treatment of choice, that maybe usually curative and carries a good prognosis. We would like to report one such rare case of BT involving the axis, or C2 vertebra, presenting with neck pain and weakness that was treated surgically. Only a few cases of spinal BTs have been reported so far in the literature. Involvement of cervical vertebrae and in particular C2 is rarer still with the one in this report only being the fourth such case.

Brown Tumor With Spine Involvement at Multiple Levels in a Hemodialysis Patient

Brown tumor of the bone or osteitis fibrosa cystica is a rare manifestation of hyperparathyroidism, most seen nowadays in association with secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are the major culprits of secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPTH). CKD is known to cause phosphate retention and a decrease in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and ionized calcium levels, which in turn trigger the PTH secretion. Brown tumor can affect the jawbones, femur, sternum, ribs, and rarely the spine. We present the case of a 60-year-old male with ESRD on hemodialysis who was found to have lytic bone lesions in the thoracic and lumbar spine. Initially, malignancy was suspected. Blood work revealed markedly elevated PTH at 3,563 pg/mL, hypocalcemia, and hyperphosphatemia. Biopsy of the L5-S1 lesion was consistent with reactive changes due to sHPTH. Once a diagnosis of the brown tumor was confirmed, the patient was started on cinacalcet and was referred for parathyroidectomy.