CASE REPORT

Disturbances of the symphysis pubis in rheumatoid arthritis: report of two cases

Authors

So Tsukahara¹, Shigeki Momohara¹, Katsunori Ikari¹, Kaoru Murakoshi¹, Takeshi Mochizuki¹, Koichiro Kawamura¹, Shu Kobayashi¹, Kazumasa Nishimoto¹, Hiroshi Okamoto¹ and Taisuke Tomatsu¹

1. Institute of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 10-22 Kawada, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0054, Japan

Received:

07 November 2006

Accepted:

06 April 2007

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Abstract

We present two rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients suffering from disturbances of the symphysis pubis. Radiography revealed one with pelvic ring disruption with symphysis pubis diastasis, and the other with osteolysis at both pubic rami and disruption of the superior aspect of the symphysis pubis. Both cases had received long-term corticosteroid therapy, including pulse therapy. We recommend reducing the corticosteroid dose to prevent disturbances of the symphysis pubis especially in RA patients on long-term steroid therapy.

Key words

Felty syndrome - Osteomyelitis - Pelvic ring disruption - Rheumatoid arthritis - Symphysis pubis diastasis