2002 Volume 14 Issue 2 Pages 147-151
The patient in this case of HTLV-I associated arthropathy (HAAP), was a 79-year-old woman who is a HTLV-I carrier with uveitis and hyperthyroidism. In October 2000, the patient complained of pain and severe swelling of the bilateral knees especially the left side and a slight fever. Both knees were treated by joint puncture and an injection of betamethasone (2.5 mg), but the symptoms did not improve. The authors then performed arthroscopic synovectomy of the left knee. After surgery, swelling and pain diminished in the left knee. The CRP value of 13.6 mg/dl was reduced to 4.0 mg/dl after prescription of oral predonine (5 mg) 6 months after the operation. The authors emphasize that nonspecific swelling of joint with inflammation in patients from a geographical area where HTLV-I is endemic may lead the physician to suspect HAAP.
