[Destructive cervical amyloidotic spondyloarthropathy in patients undergoing periodic dialysis. Personal experience]

The accumulation of amyloid (beta 2-microglobulin) in several organs and tissues of patients in chronic dialysis is a recent pathologic condition. A wide range of cases, supported by specific tests for amyloid on bioptic and autoptic samples, showed a radiographic semiology of osteostructural alterations in various areas which allows amyloidotic condition of bone to be diagnosed with high reliability. In 11 of 62 patients (17.74%) we observed destructive cervical amyloidotic spondyloarthropathy (DCAS). The radiological patterns common to all patients were subchondral sclerosis, erosions of vertebral body plates, widening/narrowing of intervertebral spaces, no/poor osteophytosis. Over-hanging was present in 54.5% of cases, and deformation of vertebral bodies in 45.4%. CT was useful in improving the definition of the various alterations, and in locating others, such as cavitations in vertebral bodies and involvement of apophyseal joints. Constant factors were the association with extravertebral osseous amyloidosis, dyalitic age over 60 months, and the use of Cuprophan membranes for dialysis. The frequent (72.72%) association with alterations involving the lumbar rachis (subchondral sclerosis, erosions and geodes) was suggestive of amyloidotic condition.