Rheumatology II Flashcards
1. Identify and recognise signs and symptoms of common non-autoimmune rheumatological conditions 2. Understand the role of imaging and blood investigations at arriving at a diagnosis 3. Explain dental relevance of non-autoimmune rheumatological conditions and their clinical management
List inherited non-autoimmune bone disorders
- Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone syndrome)
- Cleidocranial dysplasia
- Osteoporosis (marble bone disease)
List acquired non-autoimmune bone disorders
- Osteomalacia and rickets
- Osteoporosis
- Osteomyelitis
- Paget’s disease of bone
- Osteoarthritis
- Fibrous dysplasia
What is osteogenesis imperfecta
A rare autosomal dominant inherited condition closely related to the gene for dentinogenesis imperfecta, and it is characterised by brittle bones susceptible to fracture due to defective type I collagen formation and small osteoblasts - this means mainly woven bone is formed (this is more fibrous than cortico-lamellar bone which is stronger)
Outline the clinical features of osteogenesis imperfecta
- Multiple fractures on minimal impact (less post puberty)
- Gross deformity and dwarfism due to bone distortion on healing from fractures
- Parietal bossing causing eversion of upper ear
- Deafness, blue sclera, easy bruising
- Loose/weak tendons and ligaments
- Hernias
How is osteogenesis imperfecta diagnosed
- positive family history
- clinical presentation (multiple fractures, ear eversion due to parietal bossing, deformed bone healing)
- radiography
- skin biopsy
- DNA based sequencing
How is osteogenesis imperfecta managed
- No cure
- Supportive therapy to decrease fractures
- Bisphosphonates to prevent bone loss
What is the dental relevance of osteogenesis imperfects
- Handle patients carefully due to bone fragility
- Do not confuse with physical abuse
- Minimal force, support jaws and ensure haemostasis
- Chest deformity can contraindicate surgery (kyphoidosis)
- Dentinogenesis imperfecta (so weak teeth due to dentine not being strong - this predisposes to caries)
- Bisphosphonates can cause MRONJ
What is cleidocranial dysplasia
A rare autosomal dominant trait on chromosome 6 causing defects of membrane bone formation (bone formed directly from CT not from cartilage) e.g. skull and clavicles
Describe the clinical features of cleidocranial dysplasia and how is it diagnosed
- Absent/ defective clavicle
- Prognathic mandible due to maxillary hypoplasia (looks like mandible protrudes out and causes a reverse overbite)
- Depressed nasal bridge
- Frontal, parietal and occipital bossing
- Kyphoscoliosis and pelvic abnormalities
Diagnosis is based on these clinical features and radiography
What is the dental relevance of cleidocranial dysplasia
- Facial abnormalities
- Deciduous teeth retention causing delayed/failure of eruption of permanent dentition
- Hyperdontia, supernumerary teeth
- Twisted roots (complicate extractions)
- Malformed crowns
- Dentigerous cysts (form when teeth are retained in the bone as they cannot erupt)
What is osteopetrosis
Marble bone disease = rare genetic disorder characterised by excessive bone density, defective osteoclastic activity and remodelling to give dense but weak fragile bone which can heal normally
What are the clinical features of osteopetrosis and the findings on investigation
- Bone pain, fractures, osteomyelitis
- Infection and anaemia
- Cranial neuropathies (XS bone can compress nerves)
- Epilepsy and learning disabilities (rare)
- Dense appearance on radiographs
Normal Ca2+ and PO43- on testing as there is no issue with osteoclastic activity
Radiographs show dense marble-like bone appearance
What is the dental relevance of osteopetrosis
- Frontal bossing and hypertelorism (increased distance e.g. between orbit and eye)
- Trigeminal/ facial neuropathies can be a complication
- Jaw fractures
- Anaemia
- Delayed tooth eruption
- Osteomyelitis is a complication of osteopetrosis
How is PTH involved in calcium metabolism
It is released from the parathyroid gland when there is low serum calcium levels and this acts on the bone and kidneys
In bone this causes the release of calcium to increase serum calcium levels
In kidney this increases calcitriol formation (active vitamin D3) and decreases the excretion of calcium
How is vitamin D involved in calcium metabolism
Vitamin D is hydroxylated in the liver to calcidiol and then in the kidneys to calcitriol - this increases the absorption of dietary calcium in the small intestine and acts on the bone to release calcium - In turn both of these increase the serum calcium levels
What is osteomalacia and rickets
Osteomalacia (adults) = failure of mineralisation of replacement bone
Rickets (children) = inadequate mineralisation of bone framework
What are the risk factors for osteomalacia and rickets
- Vit D deficiency
- Pigmented skin, sunscreen, elderly, institutionalised
- Calcium malabsorption
- Renal diseases
- Drugs
- Pregnancy and lactation (increased demands for calcium)
What are the clinical features of osteomalacia and rickets
- Weak, hypotonic muscles due to low Ca2+
- Bone pain
- Fractures as bone is weak (not mineralised)
- Bone deformity and impaired growth in children
- Hypocalcemia, tetany and seizures
- Swelling at costochondral joints ‘Rachitic rosary’
How is osteomalacia and rickets diagnosed
- radiographically
- low/normal PO43- and Ca2+
- high ALP
- high PTH
- low vitamin D
How is osteomalacia and rickets managed
Treating underlying causes thus vitamin D and calcium supplements