Acro-osteolysis in hyperparathyroidism

Clinical Cases 18.11.2002
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Section: Musculoskeletal system
Case Type: Clinical Cases
Patient: 40 years, male
Authors: N.Ramesh,M O Dowd,A.Fernandes,G D Hurley.
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Details
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AI Report

Clinical History

Increased tiredness and pain in the hands.

Imaging Findings

The patient complained of increased tiredness and pain in his hands. Blood tests and radiographs of his hands were performed. The blood tests revealed hypercalcaemia. Radiographs of the hand showed erosions of the tufts (tips) of the terminal phalanges and sub-periosteal erosions along the radial aspect of the middle phalanges. Also noted was resorption of the middle portion of a few of the phalanges. As part of the work-up, further radiographs of the knee joints were performed, which showed sub-periosteal erosion along the superio-medial aspect of the tibiae. A hyperfunctioning parathyroid adenoma was also noted, for which surgery was performed.

Discussion

In acro-osteolysis there is loss of terminal tufts of the digits. No periosteal reaction is seen. Epiphyses, if involved, occur late in the disease. It is seen is various conditions including:

  • Scleroderma (associated with soft calcifications)
  • Psoriatic arthritis, associated with nail and skin deformities
  • Hyperparathyroidism, other findings include sub-periosteal resorption along the radial side of the middle phalanges
  • Cleidocranial dysostosis
  • Pyknodysostosis, along with aplasia/hypoplasia of the distal digits and seen in children
  • Polyvinylchloride exposure, workers with history of exposure
  • Progeria, premature ageing
  • Hajdu-Cheney Syndrome (familial idiopathic acro-osteolysis), rare syndrome and may be unilateral
  • Frostbite
  • Neuropathic, secondary to diabetes, syringomyelia etc
Leprosy, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, epidermolysis bullosa and various other causes have also been described.

The patient in this case, in addition to hypercalcaemia, had other changes of hyperparathyroidism secondary to a parathyroid adenoma: sub-periosteal resorption seen at the proximal tibia bilaterally (Fig. 2) and along the radial aspect of the middle phalanges and resorption of the middle portion of the phalanges.

Differential Diagnosis List

Acro-osteolysis in hyperparathyroidism

Final Diagnosis

Acro-osteolysis in hyperparathyroidism

Liscense

Figures

AP view of both hands with coned view of the distal phalanges

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AP view of both hands with coned view of the distal phalanges
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AP view of both hands with coned view of the distal phalanges

AP view of both knee joints

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AP view of both knee joints