The Japanese Journal of Clinical Dialysis Vol.20 No.2(4)

Theme Dialysis Amyloidosis -- Present State of the Art
Title Radiographic evaluation of amyloid-related osteoarthropathy
Publish Date 2004/02
Author Satoshi Kurihara Kasukabe Naika Clinic
[ Summary ] Dialysis-related amyloidosis leads to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), destructive spondyloarthropathy (DSA), bone cysts and osteoarthropathy in the synovial joints. Definitive diagnosis has been confirmed by histological evaluations of involved tissue. CTS is usually diagnosed through observance of typical clinical symptoms and evaluation of central nerve conductive velocity (NCV). Patients with CTS frequently display small multiple bone cysts on carpal bone tissue, as seen with conventional radiography. Characteristic radiographic findings for DSA are a narrowing of disk space with endplate sclerosis and cystic changes of the vertebra. MRIs are advisable for the detection of detailed information on DSA lesions. Large bone cysts are frequently seen at the femoral joints, pelvic bone, knee joints and shoulders joints with routine bone surveys. CT and/or MRI examinations provide additional information about the extent and location of the lesions. Ultrasonography of shoulder and hip joints is a useful and noninvasive tool for evaluating dialysis-related amyloid arthropathy. Here in we describe the diagnostic usefulness of radiographic and ultrasonographic methods for the diagnosis of dialysis-related osteoarthropathy.
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