ABSTRACT

The musculo-skeletal system is commonly affected in sickle cell disease, manifesting itself as bone infarction, femoral head osteonecrosis, osteomyelitis, myonecrosis, myofibrosis and fascitis. Myositis and fasciitis are observed during a vaso-occlusive crisis in 4% of patients. Pain and swelling of bilateral proximal groups of muscles of upper and lower limbs are common presenting complaints due to prolonged sickling crises [1] . We report a case of 30-year old known HbSS patient with bilateral knee stiffness of two months duration, with associated swelling and warmth of both thighs. No preceding history of trauma. He was said to suffer at least two sickling crises in a month with the last one occurring one week prior to presentation. X-ray of the thigh showed no calcification in muscle groups. He was commenced on flexion- extension exercises.

Keywords:

Fibrosis of Quadriceps Muscle, Sickle Cell Disease

1. Introduction

While complications of sickle cell disease such as arthropathy, chronic leg ulcer, and osteomyelitis are frequently seen and reported, medical literature on muscular complications of sickle cell aneamia is scanty due to their infrequent occurrence.

Thirteen cases have been reported so far in literature [1] . Risk factors include frequent intramusclar injections, frequent pain crises misdiagnosed as bone paincrisis in addition to stress, cold temperatures, drinking large amounts of alcohol, infection and dehydration as a result of the kidneys’ inability to conserve water [1] . It is caused by any condition that increases plasma viscosity which delays the passage of the sickled cells through the capillaries, producing an increase in sickling and a vicious cycle of venous stasis, further sickling, capillary congestion, and infarction [2] . Furthermore, Nitric Oxide (NO), an endothelium derived relaxation factor that mediates vasodilation in a dependent manner to counter the processes induced by hypoxia, is in short supply in sickle cell disease because it is limited by superoxide anions () [3] .

It presents with pain and swelling of bilateral proximal groups of muscles of upper and lower limbs. Untreated, it can lead to muscular atrophy and contracture with significant functional impairment [4] .

Investigations include determination of serum CPK and LDH levels and MRI.

However, muscle biopsy is the gold standard [5] .

Treatment includes the standard therapy for sickle cell crisis and application of warm soaks to the affected muscles for pain relief with gradual resolution within 2 - 4 weeks, and surgical fascotomy or incision and drainage to relieve areas of localized, tight swelling [6] .

This work will help raise the awareness of myofibrosis as a possible, though rare, complication in sicklers so health care workers may avoid unnecessary interventions such as frequent intramuscular injections which may worsen prognosis ,and refer in time to appropriate quaters to avoid its disabling sequelae.

2. Case Report

We evaluated a 30-year old male known HbSS patient with bilateral knee stiffness of two months duration prior to presentation. There was associated history of swelling and warmth at both thighs. No preceding history of trauma to the knee or the thigh.

There was however a positive history of fever, low grade with chills three days prior to presentation.

No history of cough, catarrh, dysuria or passage of loose watery stool. On examination, he was chronically ill-looking, pale, with a tinge of jaundice, and well hydrated.

Both knee joints were swollen and tender with differential warmth. No area of flunctuance.

There was patchy hyperpigmentation more on lateral aspects of both thighs with significant hardening of the muscles of the anterior and lateral aspects of the thigh, worse on the left. No tenderness. And no previous history of I. M injections to the thigh.

He also had bilateral chronic leg ulcer which was subsequently grafted with a good take.

Flexion of the knee was 100 both active and passive.

X-ray of the thighs showed no calcification.

Creatinine Kinase was normal at 199.1 U/L (39 - 308). LDH was elevated at 259.1 U/L (135.0 - 225 IU/L).

Muscle biopsy reported skeletal muscle interspersed by areas of fibrosis. There were foci of lymphocytes and plasma cells in those areas. Occassional giant cells and poorly formed granulomas were also seen.

Treatment with flexion-extension exercises in conjuction with the physiotherapy unit is ongoing presently.

3. Discussion

Sickle cell disease is the most frequently seen inherited haematological disorder of man. It is made up of a host of genetic disorders characterized by presence of haemoglobin S (Hb-S) which results from substitution of valine for glutamic acid at codon 6 of the beta globin chain gene on chromosome 11 [4] . The disease presents with repeated vaso-oc- clusive crises (VOC) with complications affecting various systems with an early mortality traceable to pulmonary complications and sepsis. The musculoskeletal system is commonly affected manifesting itself as bone infarction, femoral head osteonecrosis, osteomyelitis and myonecrosis, myofibrosis and fasciitis [4] . A study quoted the prevalence of this to be as high as 54.1% [7] . Muscle-cell injury occurs secondary to ischeamia from the sickling of red blood cells manifesting as proximal muscle pain, swelling, myonecrosis and myofibrosis with variable inflammatory reaction and collagen deposition, followed by muscle induration, atrophy and contractures [8] .

Most patients are young adults and male, with homozygous sickle disease and history of previously treated pain crises. This pain of muscle cell injury is out of proportion and different in character when compared to usual pain crises, reflecting a need for careful history gathering.

A rise in serum CPK and LDH as markers of muscle cell injury is diagnostic but caution needs to be applied in interpreting the results as CPK levels are normal in three reported cases.

MRI shows an increased signal intensity on T2 weighed images because necrosis of myocytes causes an alteration in muscle size and shape, and gadolinium enhancement [9] . MRI was ordered for in this patient but was not done as his relations could not afford it

Involvement of a physical therapist is crucial in preventing disabling sequlae.

4. Conclusion

Myofibrosis is a rarely diagnosed complication of sickle cell anaemia with catastrophic consequences for the patient if left unattended to. There is a need to develop a high index suspicion in patients with vaso-oclusive crises in a population at risk for this condition and develop optimal and effective treatment protocols for its management.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Cite this paper

Awotunde, T.O., Eyesan, S.U., Adesina, S.A., Ayandele, B.O. and Ano Edward, G.H. (2016) Fibrosis of the Quadriceps Muscles Secondary to Sickle Cell Disease: A Case Report. Open Journal of Orthopedics, 6, 326-329. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojo.2016.610043

References