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01 July 2022: Articles  USA

Adalimumab Mitigates Lumbar Radiculopathy in a Case of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Challenging differential diagnosis, Unusual or unexpected effect of treatment, Rare coexistence of disease or pathology

Trevor Persaud1ABCDEFG*, Richard Morgan ORCID logo1ABCDEFG, Hein Linn Thant1ABCDEFG, Francis J. DeAsis ORCID logo1ABCDEFG, Felix Ferre1DEFG, Jose Diaz ORCID logo1BDEF

DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.936600

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936600

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory condition grouped under spondyloarthritis (SpA), which is an umbrella term for a group of interrelated inflammatory rheumatic conditions with characteristic radiographic findings such as erosions and ankylosis of the sacroiliac joint. Unfortunately, there is an average delay of 8-9 years between the onset of the symptoms and diagnosis due to infrequent consideration of this disease in the differential diagnosis of patients with low back pain and unusual or incomplete presenting clinical symptoms.

CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a 37-year-old male patient with no significant past medical history and surgical history of bilateral hip arthroplasty secondary to idiopathic aseptic necrosis of the bilateral femoral head and bilateral rotator cuff repaired surgery due to multiple motor vehicle accidents (MVA) with a chief concern of chronic low back pain. In this case of ankylosing spondylitis presenting with low back pain and radicular symptoms, his symptoms were resistant to multiple opioid medications, trigger point injections, and epidural steroid injections. Initiation of adalimumab subsequently relieved the patient’s symptoms and restored his ability to perform daily activities.

CONCLUSIONS: This is an unusual presentation of AS with radiographic evidence of bilateral sacroiliitis. The neurological manifestations in AS are not uncommon, and they can occur during the quiescent stage of the disease. It should be emphasized that early diagnosis is essential to prevent progression of the disease and avoid unnecessary treatment for the patient.

Keywords: adalimumab, HLA-B27 Antigen, radiculopathy, sacroiliitis, Spondylitis, Ankylosing, Accidents, Traffic, Adult, Humans, Low Back Pain, Male

Background

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory condition grouped under spondyloarthritis (SpA) with a prevalence of 0.1% to 1.4% worldwide, and males are affected more frequently than females [1,2]. Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is an umbrella term for a group of interrelated inflammatory rheumatic conditions that include sacroiliitis, spondylitis, peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis, acute anterior uveitis, associated psoriasis or inflammatory bowel disease, presence of HLA-B27, and no association with rheumatoid factor [3]. The SpA can be subdivided into axial SpA or ankylosing spondylitis (predominant symptoms of spine and sacroiliac joints) and peripheral SpA (predominant symptoms of peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, and or dactylitis) [3,4].

An early diagnosis of AS is critical because effective treatments are available, and they are more efficacious if used in the early stage of the disease [5–7]. Back pain is also the first symptom and most frequent manifestation in the AS [7,8]. Additionally, bilateral sacroiliitis is the hallmark of AS, and detecting radio-graphic sacroiliitis is pivotal for diagnosing AS [9,10]. Moreover, SpA accounts for only about 5% of chronic back pain, which is an extremely frequent symptom in pain management facilities and is widespread in the general population [11,12]. Therefore, subsequent referral to the rheumatologist of those patients with back pain with a higher probability of AS is needed to effectively rule out the disease.

To the best of our knowledge, an L4–5 nerve root radiculopathy associated with AS has not been previously reported. Increased suspicion may lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment, potentially reducing the duration of the symptoms and improving the functional ability of patient with AS.

Case Report

We present the case of a 37-year-old male patient with no significant PMH and a past surgical history of bilateral hip arthroplasty secondary to idiopathic aseptic necrosis of the bilateral femoral head and bilateral rotator cuff repaired surgery due to multiple motor vehicle accidents (MVA).

He came to our clinic for occasional low back pain in early 2018. Initially, he rated the pain as an 8 out of 10 on the numerical rating scale (NRS). It was described as a constant, aching sensation that radiated from his lower back to both feet with associated stiffness, numbness, and tingling in his feet. His pain was mostly concentrated in his lower back and gluteal regions. The intensity of his pain was more significant in the morning and when a posture was maintained for a prolonged duration.

On the initial visit, the physical examination elicited that the patient had limited thoracic and lumbar spinal range of motion throughout the sagittal and coronal planes, most apparent on the left side. As for the special test, the FABER test was positive on the left side, the straight leg raise was negative, and the Schober test was positive (Lumbar flexion difference is 4 cm). There were bilateral lumbar paraspinal spasms. Muscle strength, light touch, sensations, tactile discrimination, and deep tendon reflexes were normal in all extremities (Table 1). His complete blood count, complete metabolic panel, other antibody tests and inflammatory markers were within the reference ranges except for a mildly elevated total complement level and low hemoglobin level (Table 2).

On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), there was evidence of an L4–5 mild broad-based disc bulge with superimposed small central disc protrusion/herniation and traced bilateral facet joint effusions along with sclerosis, joint space narrowing, and erosions of bilateral sacroiliac joints (Figures 1, 2). In addition, electromyography (EMG) was abnormal for chronic left L5 motor radiculopathy with signs of healing, but the nerve conduction studies were normal (Table 3). Therefore, a diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy was corroborated based on clinical features, MRI findings, and EMG report.

Over the course of three and a half years, the patient had inadequate pain relief with multiple NSAIDs, pain medications (Oxycontin and Percocet), tizanidine, multiple sessions of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), Physical therapy (PT), and multiple trigger point injections. He also underwent one left Intralaminar lumbar epidural steroid injection (L4/5) with 1-month relief of low back pain and resolution of radiating left leg pain and three bilateral SI joint injections, which provided >50% improvement in his low back pain for 2–3 weeks. In Feb 2021, while the patient was waiting for the insurance approval for another intralaminar L4–5 lumbar epidural steroid injection, he developed bilateral eye redness and pain. At this point, point, we considered his clinical symptoms to be an unusual presentation of AS possibly, and he was referred to an ophthalmologist and a rheumatologist, where he was diagnosed with AS. Adalimumab was initiated, and the patient experienced gradual improvement in his low back pain, radicular lower legs pain, and bilateral SI joints pain, with reduced need of pain medications. In a follow-up visit one month after initiating adalimumab, he rated his lower back and bilateral SI joint pain as 3–4/10 on the NRS. As a result, he could return to work and resume many of his activities.

Discussion

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY:

We aimed to present the unusual presentation of AS with lumbar radiculopathy signs and symptoms. However, there are limitations of our study: (1) the patient had previous multiple accidents that could contribute to the lumbar disc bulging, and (2) he should have had follow-up blood work to monitor complement level and MRI imaging to identify the improvement of radiographic sacroiliitis after initiation of adalimumab.

Conclusions

Current evidence demonstrates the beneficial effects of TNF inhibitor (adalimumab) in AS patient with symptoms of radiculopathy. It provides sustained clinical remission with the restoration of normal physical activities. Young patients with chronic worsening low back pain with symptoms of radiculopathy, reduced spine mobility, and minimal relief from opioid medications and epidural steroid injection should be referred to a rheumatologist to rule out AS. HLA-B27 is not a diagnostic feature for AS, and diagnostic delay can lead to unnecessary treatment, with poor quality of life, worse functional impairment, and more significant radiographic progression [40]. As such, physicians should be aware of the features of inflammatory low back pain.

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American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923
American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923