Bilateral Hindfoot Osteonecrosis Associated with Treatment for Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

• Published in: Foot & ankle orthopaedics 2022-11, Vol.7 (4)
• Main Authors: Ricci, Gianni, Gruenberger, Eric H., Stewart, Matthew G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemotherapy; Necrosis; Wound healing
• ISSN: 2473-0114; 2473-0114
• DOI: 10.1177/2473011421S00905

Category: Hindfoot; Basic Sciences/Biologics Introduction/Purpose: There are reports of bilateral atraumatic osteonecrosis of the talus associated with some chemotherapy agenst for cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL), and systemic glucocorticoid treatment is by far the most common. We report the case of a 63-year old woman with CTCL previously treated with a high-affinity folate analog, pralatrexate, and multiple short- courses of prednisone dose packs who developed bilateral ankle and hindfoot stress fractures which progressed to hindfoot necrosis involving the talus and calcaneus. Methods: Chart Review Results: MRI was used for the diagnosis of stress fractures and osteonecrosis. The right foot was most symptomatic at presentation and was treated with a 6-month period of protected weight bering in a CAM boot. Follow up imaging demonstrated complete collapse of the talar dome. The patient underwent tibiotalarcalcaneal fusion which was complicated by wound healing issues requiring a skin graft. During this time, left sided symptoms worsened, and MRI confirmed insufficiency fractures with adjacent areas of edema and necrosis about the calcaneus, talus, and lateral malleolus. Considering her recent wound healing difficulties, the left foot was definitively treated in a CAM walker boot with some improvement in symptoms. Conclusion: Insufficiency fractures of the hindfoot are known to progress to osteonecrosis and are typically associated with long- term or high dose systemic steroid administration. Cases presenting after short-courses of oral steroids are uncommon; those associated with methotrexate (a lower affinity folate analog) are rare, and cases associated with pralatrexate or CTCL outside osteonecrosis of the jaw were not found during literature review. Despite cessation of chemotherapy and CTCL remission and early institution of protected weight, this patient rapidly progressed to bilateral hindfoot collapse. Providers and patients should be aware of the associated risks and potential for less favorable outcomes.