[Low-dose MTX(methotrexate) pulse therapy in a patient with putsulotic-arthro-osteitis (PAO) accompanied with...

A 62-year-old woman, who had suffered from putsulosis palmaris et plantaris for about two years, was admitted to our hospital due to lumbago, sweating and palpitation. On the basis of physical and endocrinological examinations, she was diagnosed as Basedow's disease. X-ray findings revealed ossification in the left costo-clavicular joints, and characteristic syndesmophytes of PAO in vertebral bodies. These lesions were followed by high accumulation of 99mTc in bone scintigrams. PAO is considered to be in a category of seronegative spondylarthropathy or rheumatic disease. Previous reports of PAO accompanied with autoimmune diseases are few. The association of PAO and Basedow's disease has not been reported. As PAO in this case was refractory to conventional therapies, low-dose MTX pulse therapy(oral 7.5mg/day administration on every week) was initiated. MTX markedly improved both putsulotic palmaris et plantalis and PAO.