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Open access

Skin and bones: systemic mastocytosis and bone

Mawson Wang and Markus J Seibel

Summary

We report the case of a 69-year-old female with systemic mastocytosis, diagnosed based on widespread pigmented papules and macules, elevated serum tryptase levels and confirmatory skin and bone marrow biopsy, on a background of osteoporosis. A CT demonstrated multiple sclerotic lesions within lumbar vertebral bodies, sacrum and ileum, with surrounding osteolysis but no obvious compression fractures. She was treated with the RANK-L inhibitor denosumab, resulting in significant bone mineral density gain over the following 5 years. However, her serum tryptase levels gradually increased during this period despite treatment with the multikinase inhibitor, midostaurin. It is thus conceivable that her rapid increase in bone mineral density may be partly contributed by a predominance of pro-osteoblastic mediators released by abnormal mast cells, suggestive of more advanced disease. This case highlights the complexities of systemic mastocytosis-related bone disease and the interplay of numerous mediators contributing to a phenotype of both increased bone resorption and formation.

Learning points

  • Systemic mastocytosis is a neoplastic disease of mast cells characterized by abnormal proliferation and accumulation in the skin and other organs. It is most frequently associated with the somatic gain-of-function KIT D816V mutation.

  • Systemic mastocytosis should be suspected in patients presenting with not only cutaneous symptoms suggestive of mast cell degranulation such as anaphylaxis, flushing or urticaria but also unexplained osteoporosis and gastrointestinal and constitutional symptoms.

  • The prevalence of osteoporosis in systemic mastocytosis is high. Mast cell activation leads to the secretion of numerous chemical mediators which either promote or inhibit osteoclastic and/or osteoblastic activity, with the balance usually in favour of increased bone resorption. However, in advanced diseases with high mast cell burden, mast-cell-derived cytokines and mediators may promote osteoblastic activity, leading to osteosclerosis and apparent increases in bone mineral density.

  • Treatment of osteoporosis in systemic mastocytosis involves antiresorptive therapy with bisphosphonates and more recently, denosumab. There are limited data on the role of osteoanabolic agents.

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1530/EDM-22-0408
Volume 2023: Issue 2
Open access

X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets with advanced bone age treated with aromatase inhibitor

João Felipe Queiroz, Soraya Lopes Sader, Carina Marques Barroso, and Guido de Paula Colares Neto

Summary

We present an adolescent with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) with bone age advancement and its response to aromatase inhibitors (AIs). A male with XLH, confirmed with a deletion on the PHEX gene, received regular treatment since the first year of life with average growth velocity and height. He had bone age compatible with chronological age until 13 when he had a bone age advancement and a decrease in the predicted final height thought to be due to initiation of oral isotretinoin, which has been previously reported. Then, anastrozole was initiated and maintained concomitant to the rickets treatment for 2 years with bone age stabilization. He had no adverse effects or worsening of bone health markers. As a result, he maintained his height gain and improved his final height Z score compared with the predicted final height at initiating anastrozole. In conclusion, although AIs was a reasonable strategy to stabilize bone age and minimize height impairment, careful monitoring is mandatory to understand its benefits and effects on XLH patients.

Learning points

  • Although X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets patients have normal puberty, they can be affected by metabolic and environmental factors that may advance their bone age and impair the predicted final height, similar to the general population.

  • Isotretinoin may accelerate skeletal maturation during puberty in an adolescent with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets.

  • Aromatase inhibitors showed to be a reasonable strategy to stabilize bone age and minimize height impairment in an adolescent with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets.

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1530/EDM-23-0005
Volume 2023: Issue 2
Open access

Gastrointestinal manifestations in autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) patient: major effect on treatment and prognosis

Taieb Ach, Ben Yamna Hadami, Nadia Ghariani, Randa Said ElMabrouk, Asma Ben Abdelkrim, Maha Kacem, Mohamed Denguezli, and Koussay Ach

Summary

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare autosomal recessive inherited syndrome caused by mutations in autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene. The three clinical components of this syndrome are mucocutaneous candidiasis, hypoparathyroidism, and primary adrenal insufficiency. In addition to these frequent symptoms, many other components have been reported including gastrointestinal manifestations.We report a case of a 17-year-old Caucasian female patient diagnosed with APECED who presented with acute abdominal pain. Her medical history revealed chronic digestive discomfort without bowel movement disorders. The patient needed a significant increase in doses of calcium supplementation and hydrocortisone which appeared to be partially inefficient. Investigation with esophagogastroduodenoscopy and biopsy showed autoimmune atrophic gastritis. The patient eventually needed increasing doses of treatment received in order to achieve desired clinical and biological therapeutic goals.

Learning points

  • Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare autosomal recessive inherited syndrome caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene.

  • The three clinical components of this syndrome that appear in early childhood are mucocutaneous candidiasis, hypoparathyroidism, and primary adrenal insufficiency.

  • In addition to these frequent symptoms, many other components have been reported including gastrointestinal manifestations like atrophic gastritis. They can be caused by many abnormalities including atrophic gastritis and the modification of intestinal biofilm and microbiota.

  • Early diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal manifestations associated with APECED prevent multiple life-threatening consequences like acute adrenal crisis and severe symptomatic hypocalcemia.

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1530/EDM-22-0352
Volume 2023: Issue 2
Open access

Reversibility in male idiopathic osteoporosis possible

Ijaz S Jamall, Michael C Ullery, Massimiliano Rocchietti March, Elisa Pignatti, Vincenzo Rochira, and Björn L D M Brücher

Summary

A 44-year-old athletic man presented in 2009 with severe low back pain. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry revealed severe osteoporosis; serum testosterone was 189 ng/dL while serum estradiol (E2) measured by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry was 8 pg/mL. DNA was extracted and sequenced from a blood sample from the patient since his maternal first cousin also had low bone mass and both patients were screened for aromatase dysfunction by PCR analysis for the CYP19A1 gene, which encodes aromatase. No known pathologic mutations were observed in the coding exons, but novel single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected both in the proband and in his cousin. Treatment with topical testosterone started in August 2010. Over the next 8 years, testosterone dosage was varied and switched from topical gel to injections and maintained on depo-injections of testosterone at about 60 mg once per week. Re-examination in March 2012 included a brain MRI to exclude pituitary lesions; hyperparathyroidism was ruled out (normal serum parathyroid hormone, calcium, and calcium to phosphorous ratio) and celiac disease was excluded (negative transglutaminase antibodies). Follow-up in October 2018 showed improved bone mineral density of the lumbar spine by 29% and of the left femoral hip by 15% compared to baseline measurements. This reveals the importance of measuring serum E2 for making the correct diagnosis, as well as for monitoring a therapeutic effect. Herein, we propose treatment of male osteoporosis where serum E2 levels are below about 20 pg/mL with testosterone to reverse osteoporosis.

Learning points

  • Estrogen deficiency in the diagnosis of male idiopathic osteoporosis.

  • Importance of serum estradiol in male osteoporosis.

  • Role of polymorphisms in aromatase gene on bone health.

  • Reversal of osteoporosis.

  • Tailored testosterone treatment for bone health.

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1530/EDM-22-0407
Volume 2023: Issue 2
Open access

Tenofovir-induced hypophosphatemic osteomalacia: how do bone mineral density, trabecular bone score and proximal hip geometry change with treatment?

Aneez Joseph, Kripa Elizabeth Cherian, Nitin Kapoor, and Thomas V Paul

Summary

Tenofovir-induced osteomalacia secondary to proximal renal tubular dysfunction is not an uncommon complication known to occur. A 46-year-old woman was referred for the evaluation of osteoporosis which was diagnosed elsewhere. She had polyarthralgia, bony pains and proximal muscle weakness of 1 year duration. She was diagnosed to have HIV infection and was on antiretroviral therapy that consisted of tenofovir, lamivudine and efavirenz for the past 12 years. She had attained menopause 5 years back. On examination, she had bone tenderness, proximal myopathy and painful restriction of movement of her lower limbs. Investigations showed features of renal tubular acidosis, hypophosphatemia and raised alkaline phosphatase that were suggestive of osteomalacia. X-ray of the pelvis showed diffuse osteopenia and an MRI of the pelvis done showed multiple insufficiency fractures involving the head of femur on both sides. Following this, her tenofovir-based regimen was changed to abacavir, efavirenz and lamivudine with addition of neutral phosphate supplements and calcitriol. On follow-up after 6 months, she had significant improvement in her symptoms as well as in the bone mineral density at the lumbar spine (33.2%), femoral neck (27.6%), trabecular bone score (13.2%) and reduction in the buckling ratio at the narrow neck (6.3%), inter-trochanteric region (34%) and femoral shaft (28.8%). Tenofovir-induced osteomalacia is encountered in individuals on prolonged treatment with tenofovir. Treatment consists of changing to a non-tenofovir-based regimen, as well as supplementation of phosphate and calcitriol. Treatment results in remarkable improvement in symptoms and most densitometric indices.

Learning points

  • Tenofovir is a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) and is a major drug in the treatment of retroviral and hepatitis B infections.

  • Tenofovir-related hypophosphatemic osteomalacia is related to proximal tubulopathy and is not an uncommon occurrence.

  • Treatment mandates changing to a non-tenofovir-based regimen with supplementation of neutral phosphate and calcitriol.

  • Treatment results in a significant improvement in bone mineral density, trabecular bone score and hip geometric parameters.

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1530/EDM-22-0259
Volume 2023: Issue 1
Open access

Pyogenic spondylitis due to Streptococcus agalactiae with paraspinal abscess and vertebral destruction in a diabetic patient: time course of imagings

Tomoko Kobayashi, Takuya Iwata, Katsunari Handa, and Hiroshi Arima

Summary

A 76-year-old female with type 2 diabetes mellitus presented with hematuria, low back pain, and intermittent fever for 7 days. She was admitted to our hospital and diagnosed with Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) bacteremia. CT showed an air density within the right iliopsoas muscle, and an MRI of the spine revealed hyperintensity in the right half of the L1–L2 intervertebral disk, leading to the diagnosis of a paraspinal abscess and L1–L2 pyogenic spondylitis. Antibiotic therapy was started and the clinical symptoms, as well as serologic biomarkers and radiologic images of the paraspinal abscess, were improved. The therapy was stopped on day 72 despite vertebral destruction progression. Vertebral endplate ossification was observed on day 108, and further bone formation was noted on day 177. Our case study with radiologic findings over 6 months demonstrated how bone destruction with pyogenic spondylitis, which had been treated with antibiotic therapy, improved after cessation of antibiotics.

Learning points

  • Although GBS is a rare cause of spondylitis, diabetic mellitus is a risk factor for the development of invasive GBS infections, especially under poor glycemic control.

  • Bone destruction of pyogenic spondylitis can improve after discontinuation of antibiotic therapy.

  • It may be important to decide the period of antibiotic therapy based on clinical conditions, serologic biomarkers, and soft tissue findings rather than bone findings.

  • When elderly diabetic patients present with back pain and fever, spondylitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis to avoid potential diagnostic delays or misdiagnosis.

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1530/EDM-22-0305
Volume 2023: Issue 1
Open access

Tumour-induced osteomalacia: 18 months of 2-weekly burosumab treatment

L Aliberti, I Gagliardi, M Pontrelli, M C Zatelli, and M R Ambrosio

Summary

Tumour-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is due to an overproduction of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) by mesenchymal tumours, causing hypophosphatemia, osteomalacia and muscle weakness. TIO is usually cured by tumour resection, but neoplasms may be unidentifiable and unresectable or the patient may refuse surgery. In these cases, medical treatment with oral phosphate and calcitriol is mandatory, but it is not fully effective and it is associated with low compliance. Burosumab, a human MAB against FGF23 employed to treat X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), has recently been approved for TIO in the USA. Maximum burosumab dose in XLH is 90 mg administered for 2 weeks; there are no data on clinical efficacy and safety of this dose in TIO. We reported the case of a 73 years old male with multiple non-traumatic fractures, low bone mineral density, pain and reduced independence of activities of daily living. Biochemical evaluation showed hypophosphatemia, high alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) and normal albumin-corrected total calcium and parathyroid hormone. Tubular phosphate reabsorption was low (80%), whereas C-terminal tail of FGF23 (cFGF23) was elevated. A 68Ga-DOTATOC PET was performed, identifying a lesion in the first left rib. The patient refused surgery; therefore, burosumab therapy was started. After 18 months of treatment (maximum dose: 60 mg administered for 2 weeks), plasma phosphate normalized and ALP levels improved (138 U/L). Patient clinical symptoms as well as pain severity and fatigue improved. Neither adverse events nor tumour progression was reported during follow-up except for a painless fracture of the second right rib.

Learning points

  • Our case shows efficacy and safety of burosumab treatment administered every 2 weeks in a tumour-induced osteomalacia (TIO) patient.

  • After 18 months of treatment at a maximum dose of 60 mg every 2 weeks, we found plasma phosphate normalization and ALP reduction as well as improvement in clinical symptoms and fatigue.

  • Neither adverse events nor tumour progression was reported during follow-up, except for a painless fracture of the second right rib.

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1530/EDM-22-0317
Volume 2023: Issue 1
Open access

Incidental finding of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-cirrhosis

Therese Adrian, Mads Hornum, Filip Krag Knop, and Lise Lotte Gluud

Summary

A 72-year-old man with type 2 diabetes volunteered to participate in the control group of a clinical study. The study evaluated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with kidney disease. The patient was followed at a gastroenterology department due to Crohn’s disease and post-operative bile acid malabsorption. The patient had no symptoms or biochemical findings suggesting liver disease. Surprisingly, a transient elastography (FibroScan®) suggested advanced fibrosis with a median of 16.1 kPa. A liver biopsy showed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-cirrhosis. The diagnosis was only made incidentally and highlights how NASH-cirrhosis may be overlooked due to the lack of symptoms.

Learning points

  • Clinicians treating high-risk populations, including patients with type 2 diabetes and/or components of the metabolic syndrome, should be aware of the frequently occurring co-existence with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and especially non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

  • Liver enzymes may be in the normal range even in people with steatosis, NASH, or even cirrhosis.

  • The diagnosis of NAFLD should include evaluation of hepatic fibrosis as this is the most important prognostic factor for liver-related complications and mortality.

  • Guidelines about systematic screening for NAFLD in patients with type 2 diabetes are incongruent.

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1530/EDM-22-0350
Volume 2022: Issue 1
Open access

Tumor-induced osteomalacia treated with T12 tumor resection

Alyssa J Mancini, Amin Sabet, Gunnlaugur Petur Nielsen, J Anthony Parker, Joseph H Schwab, Ashley Ward, Jim S Wu, and Alan O Malabanan

Summary

Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare form of osteomalacia caused by fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23)-secreting tumors. Most of these tumors are phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors (PMTs) typically involving soft tissue in the extremities and bone of the appendicular skeleton and cranium. We report the case of a 60-year-old woman with about 3 years of persistent bone pain and multiple fractures, initially diagnosed as osteoporosis, who was found to have hypophosphatemia with low 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and elevated alkaline phosphatase and inappropriately normal FGF23 consistent with TIO. Her symptoms improved with phosphate supplementation, vitamin D and calcitriol. 68Ga-DOTATATE imaging revealed a T12 vertebral body lesion confirmed on biopsy to be a PMT. She underwent resection of the PMT with resolution of TIO and increased bone density. This rare case of TIO secondary to a PMT of the thoracic spine highlights some of the common features of PMT-associated TIO and draws attention to PMT-associated TIO as a possible cause of unexplained persistent bone pain, a disease entity that often goes undiagnosed and untreated for years.

Learning points

  • Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is typically caused by phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors (PMTs) that are usually found in the soft tissue of the extremities and bone of the appendicular skeleton/cranium and rarely in the spine.

  • TIO may be misdiagnosed as osteoporosis or spondyloarthritis, and the correct diagnosis is often delayed for years. However, osteoporosis, in the absence of fracture, is not associated with bone pain.

  • The hallmark of TIO is hypophosphatemia with inappropriately normal or low 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and elevated or inappropriately normal fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) levels.

  • In patients with unexplained persistent bone pain, a serum phosphate should be measured. Consider PMT-associated TIO as a potential cause of unexplained persistent bone pain and hypophosphatemia.

  • PMTs express somatostatin receptors and may be identified with 68Ga-DOTATATE imaging.

  • Complete surgical resection is the preferred treatment for spinal PMTs associated with TIO.

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1530/EDM-22-0344
Volume 2022: Issue 1
Open access

Treating ‘osteoporosis’: a near miss in an unusual case of FGF-23-mediated hypophosphataemic osteomalacia

Mike Lin and Kirtan Ganda

Summary

We present the case of a 60-year-old female who developed repeated atraumatic stress fractures. She was initially diagnosed with osteoporosis based on her dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan bone mineral density (BMD) T-scores and started on denosumab therapy. Secondary osteoporosis screen revealed abnormal myeloma screen and low serum phosphate levels. It was thought that the patient had multiple myeloma with associated Fanconi-related tubular dysfunction. However, fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) levels were grossly elevated, making Fanconi syndrome unlikely. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with two separate conditions, namely cardiac amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis and FGF-23-related hypophosphataemia, likely due to tumour-induced osteomalacia. This case highlights the importance of excluding osteomalacia as a cause of low BMD and checking FGF-23 levels in the workup for hypophosphataemia.

Learning Points

  • Tumour-induced osteomalacia is a difficult diagnosis as the tumour is often small and slow growing. Imaging may fail to identify a tumour, and treatment therefore consists of calcitriol and phosphate replacement.

  • Tumour-induced osteomalacia should be suspected in the adult presenting with new-onset hypophosphataemia, elevated FGF-23 levels and isolated renal phosphate wasting.

  • Serum phosphate is not part of the routine chemistry panels. Routinely checking phosphate levels prior to initiating antiresorptive therapy is warranted.

  • DXA cannot distinguish low bone mineral density due to osteoporosis from osteomalacia. Antiresorptive therapy should be avoided in osteomalacia due to the risk of clinical and radiographic deterioration.

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1530/EDM-22-0300
Volume 2022: Issue 1