Sagliker syndrome: first four cases in Bulgaria

Introduction

Sagliker syndrome was described in 2004. It represents the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic renal failure. Improper treatment in the early stages of the disease is the cause of retention of phosphorus, vitamin D deficiency and disorder in the calcium-phosphorus metabolism. This leads to increased parathyroid hormone and development of secondary hyperparathyroidism. The commensurate increased serum alkaline phosphatase produces skeletal changes – renal rachitis, damage bone growth points in children, and subperiosteal changes in almost all bones. Affected patients have short stature, severe changes in the skull, deformities in upper and lower jaw, dental anomalies, “brown” tumors, severe psychological changes and depression [1] [2] [3] (full text) [4] [5] (full text) [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]. “Brown“ tumors are bone lesions caused by rapid osteoclastic activity and peritrabecular sclerosis – result of hyperparathyroidism. In fact, they are not true neoplasia, but represent bone reparative process – fibrous-cystic osteitis. Radiographic characteristics of bone pathology in renal osteodystrophy are associated with demineralization, loss of lamina dura and trabecular bone, that looks like frosted glass [5] (full text) [11] (full text) [12]. The changes in the maxillofacial area are asymptomatic macrognathia (localized or diffuse) with apparent pathological mobility of teeth in the affected region, abnormal occlusion, changes in the enamel and the pulp of teeth. The skeletal abnormalities affect elbow, collarbone, spine, long bones and small bones of the hands[6] [7] [8] [13]. Sagliker syndrome patients demonstrate very distinctive changes in the third phalanx of the fingers, which is curved upward.

The aim of this study was to identify any patients with Sagliker syndrome among the contingent of The dialysis ward at the University Hospital “St. George”, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Materials and methods: We conducted a clinical examination and performed blood tests of all 78 patients receiving dialysis therapy more than one year (63 patients on hemodialysis, 15 – on peritoneal dialysis). Blood tests included a complete blood count, electrolyte tests, alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone.

Based on the laboratory tests, eight of the patients were to a high degree of suspicion for renal osteodystrophy with parathormone values above 400 pg/ml. After comparing the results of clinical examination and laboratory tests, we found four patients who meet the criteria for Sagliker syndrome: chronic renal insufficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism, short stature, severe changes in the skull and jaw that lead to festoon-likeuglifying face, dental abnormalities, “brown” tumors, deformations of the phalanges of the fingers, psychological diseases and depression.

Cases presentation

Case 1

27 years old male, who receives hemodialysis treatment for 12 years. Physical examination of the maxillo-facial area demonstrated maxillary and mandibular enlargement, especially in the anterior part (Figure 1), flat palate (Figure 2), increased sagittal size of the lower jaw, open bite, teeth displacement with tremas (Figure 3). We observed typical for patients with chronic renal failure, dark brown staining in the cervical area follows the gingival festoon, mostly on the lower teeth. The patient has short stature, narrow lateral and wide sagittal diameter of the chest (Figure 4), X – shaped lower limbs, with enlargement of the knee joint (Figure 5), upturned third phalanges of the hands. He was underwent a corrective surgery for the mandible enlargement seven years ago. Additionally, the patient was treated with Zemplar to suppress the effects of parathyroid hormone. Although the medication and surgery, jaws continue to grow up and deform.

Case 2

63 years old female, who receives hemodialysis treatment for 30 years. The physical examination of the maxillo-facial area demonstrated totally toothless upper and partialy toothless lower jaws with slight mandibular prognathism. The patient had previously received surgery of the maxillary bone and was diagnosed with a “brown tumor”. The patient has a short stature, X-shaped limbs, upturned nail phalanges (Figure 6), thickened ulna, deformed clavicle.

Case 3

63 years old female, who receives hemodialysis treatment for 6 years. The patient had partially toothless upper and lower jaws as a result of progressively increasing tooth mobility. Bone enlargement was observed especially in the anterior part of the maxilla and mandible as well as a deformed clavicle. The patient was treated with Zemplar.

Case 4

26 years old female, who receives hemodialysis treatment for 6 years. The physical examination demonstrated enlargement of the lower third of the face in the sagittal direction and deformation in the right infraorbital region. The patient had open bite, maxillary anterior teeth were inclined medially with tremas, the palate was flat with bone enlargement in the anterior area (Figure 7).

Results of the patients’ paraclinical tests are shown in Table 1.

Discussion

Sagliker syndrome is a rare disease that occurs in patients with chronic renal failure on continuous hemodialysis in the absence of adequate control of the values of parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase. This case series found that 6.34% of the patients developed Sagliker syndrome, which is much higher compared to other countries [6] [14] (full text). The increase of phosphorus in the blood and hypercalcemia, stimulate the release of parathyroid hormone. The alkaline phosphatase was activated and resulted in serious pathological changes in the whole skeleton [5] (full text) [6] [7] [8]. It was found that the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism is reflected most strongly in adolescents, compared to elderly patients. In young patients develop “unifying human face”, while in adults observed localized “brown tumors”. Most authors recommend timely transplantation in order to prevent deterioration of the quality of life of patients [14] (full text). If this is not possible, the method of choice is a partial extirpation of the parathyroid glands or suppression of parathyroid hormone secretion with calcium mimetics that bind with calcium-sensitive receptors in the parathyroid gland [15] [16]. In the maxillofacial area are discussed corrective surgery on the alveolar ridge and the extirpation of “brown tumors” [4] [5] (full text).

Conclusion

The lack of control of the level of calcium and phosphorus in the blood in patients with chronic kidney disease leads to severe bone changes and psychological changes in patients with prolonged dialysis. The dentist must be aware of the risk of fracture of the jaw in surgical interventions due to changes in the maxillofacial area. The control of parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase values prevents the development of severe changes in the bones of dialysis patients and does not decrease their quality of life.