"As Black as Ink": A Case of Alkaptonuria-Associated Myelopathy and a Review of the Literature.


Journal

Spine
ISSN: 1528-1159
Titre abrégé: Spine (Phila Pa 1976)
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 7610646

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
01 Jan 2019
Historique:
pubmed: 23 6 2018
medline: 14 6 2019
entrez: 23 6 2018
Statut: ppublish

Résumé

Case report and literature review. To characterize the rare presentation of myelopathy occurring secondary to alkaptonuria and to evaluate the available evidence regarding its treatment. Alkaptonuria is an autosomal recessive genetic condition with an estimated incidence of 1 in 250,000 to 1 in 1,000,000 people. Mutation of the enzyme homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase leads to the production of high levels of homogentisic acid, with subsequent deposition in ligaments, cartilage, and menisci. Involvement of the spine is termed "ochronotic spondyloarthropathy," of which myelopathy is an uncommon presentation. We present the case of a 57-year-old man with alkaptonuria-associated myelopathy, who underwent surgical decompression. Ten additional cases were identified in the literature by a systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar. In a patient presenting with myelopathy, alkaptonuria may be suspected because of medical history, family history, symptoms (including darkened urine, pigmented ear cartilage, and sclera), or radiographic changes, such as multilevel disc collapse, progressive wafer-like disc calcification, extensive osteophyte formation, and spinal deformity. The diagnosis can be confirmed by urine homogentisic acid testing. Of the 11 patients presented here or identified in the literature, 2 were treated nonoperatively, 8 were treated with decompressive spinal surgery, and treatment of the myelopathy was not discussed for 1 patient. In all cases in which outcomes were reported, substantial improvement in the patient's condition was seen. Alkaptonuria is a rare cause of myelopathy, but one that clinicians should understand. Although no disease-modifying treatment currently exists for alkaptonuria, the use of symptomatic treatments and, particularly, surgical decompression is recommended to address myelopathy if it develops. 4.

Sections du résumé

STUDY DESIGN METHODS
Case report and literature review.
OBJECTIVE OBJECTIVE
To characterize the rare presentation of myelopathy occurring secondary to alkaptonuria and to evaluate the available evidence regarding its treatment.
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA BACKGROUND
Alkaptonuria is an autosomal recessive genetic condition with an estimated incidence of 1 in 250,000 to 1 in 1,000,000 people. Mutation of the enzyme homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase leads to the production of high levels of homogentisic acid, with subsequent deposition in ligaments, cartilage, and menisci. Involvement of the spine is termed "ochronotic spondyloarthropathy," of which myelopathy is an uncommon presentation.
METHODS METHODS
We present the case of a 57-year-old man with alkaptonuria-associated myelopathy, who underwent surgical decompression. Ten additional cases were identified in the literature by a systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar.
RESULTS RESULTS
In a patient presenting with myelopathy, alkaptonuria may be suspected because of medical history, family history, symptoms (including darkened urine, pigmented ear cartilage, and sclera), or radiographic changes, such as multilevel disc collapse, progressive wafer-like disc calcification, extensive osteophyte formation, and spinal deformity. The diagnosis can be confirmed by urine homogentisic acid testing. Of the 11 patients presented here or identified in the literature, 2 were treated nonoperatively, 8 were treated with decompressive spinal surgery, and treatment of the myelopathy was not discussed for 1 patient. In all cases in which outcomes were reported, substantial improvement in the patient's condition was seen.
CONCLUSION CONCLUSIONS
Alkaptonuria is a rare cause of myelopathy, but one that clinicians should understand. Although no disease-modifying treatment currently exists for alkaptonuria, the use of symptomatic treatments and, particularly, surgical decompression is recommended to address myelopathy if it develops.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE METHODS
4.

Identifiants

pubmed: 29933333
doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000002755
pii: 00007632-201901010-00019
doi:

Types de publication

Case Reports Journal Article Review

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Pagination

E53-E59

Références

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Wolff JA, Barshop B, Nyhan WL, et al. Effects of ascorbic acid in alkaptonuria: alterations in benzoquinone acetic acid and an ontogenic effect in infancy. Pediatr Res 1989; 26:140–144.
De Haas V, Carbasius Weber EC, De Klerk JB, et al. The success of dietary protein restriction in alkaptonuria patients is age-dependent. J Inherit Metab Dis 1998; 21:791–798.

Auteurs

Callum J Donaldson (CJ)

Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.

Stuart L Mitchell (SL)

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.

Lee H Riley (LH)

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.

Khaled M Kebaish (KM)

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.

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Classifications MeSH