ECR 2013 / C-0975
Musculoskeletal pathology in HIV - A comprehensive case based radiological review from a specialist HIV institution
Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
AIDS, Diagnostic procedure, Ultrasound, Conventional radiography, MR, Musculoskeletal soft tissue, Musculoskeletal joint, Musculoskeletal bone
Authors:
C. Sayer; Brighton/UK
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2013/C-0975
Background
- The musculoskeletal system can be affected by a number of conditions in HIV and the prevalence of these complaints is high with a reported incidence between 5.5% and 11%.
Compared to CNS,
respiratory and gastrointestinal manifestations of HIV,
musculoskeletal disorders have been less well documented and are arguably less well understood.
- The underlying mechanisms leading to these complications are complex and thought to be multifactorial,
involving not only the immunosuppressed status of the patient,
but also the virus itself,
as well as complex immunologic,
environmental,
and genetic interactions.
- HIV infection diminishes the body’s defence mechanisms by impairing T lymphocyte response which predisposes the patient to a wide variety of opportunistic infections,
immune-related neoplasms,
and inflammatory disorders. Indeed musculoskeletal manifestations may be reactive in nature and secondary to the HIV virus itself,
or secondary to its treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
- Musculoskeletal pathology can be broadly divided into 4 groups; myopathies,
arthropathies,
infections and neoplasms.