Indolent systemic mastocytosis limited to the bone: a case report and review of the literature

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Pinto Lopes, P (Author) Other; Fonseca, FA (Author) Other; Silva, R (Author) Other; von Hafe P (Author) FMUP; Fonseca, E (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Sao Paulo Medical Journal

Vol. 131

Pages: 198-204

ISSN: 1516-3180

Publisher: Associação Paulista de Medicina

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 2 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-006-G2F

DOI: 10.1590/1516-3180.2013.1313460

Abstract (EN): CONTEXT: Systemic mastocytosis is defined as a clonal disorder of mast cells and their precursor cells and is currently classified as a myeloproliferative neoplasm. Its clinical course has a wide spectrum, ranging from indolent disease, with normal life expectancy, to highly aggressive disease, associated with multisystemic involvement and poor overall survival. The aim of this study was to report a case of indolent systemic mastocytosis, focusing on the diagnostic challenges, with a review of the literature. CASE REPORT: A 79-year-old Caucasian woman with osteoporosis was evaluated at the Emergency Department because of complaints of low back pain. Before this, she had consulted an orthopedist and had undergone some imaging examinations, namely a bone scan that revealed a "superscan" pattern. Due to her pain complaints and these test results, the patient was admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine. After undergoing several analytical tests and some additional imaging examinations to rule out some important differential diagnoses, she then underwent bone marrow biopsy, which made it possible to identify indolent systemic mastocytosis. CONCLUSION: Systemic mastocytosis is a rare entity that is difficult to diagnose. Its symptoms are often unspecific and frequently ignored. Skeletal changes may be the first and only manifestation of the disease and in some cases, like this one, the diagnosis is made only after histological examination. The key point for the diagnosis is to contemplate the possibility of systemic mastocytosis.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7