PMC8635928_01
Swollen erythematous right and left ears with shriveled up outer ears resembling cauliflower ears.
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fig1
The pinnae were swollen, erythematous, and tender, resembling "cauliflower ears" (Figure 1).
(a, b) Synovitis of the right and left knees when the patient was first seen at the outpatients' department. (c) A significant decrease in knee synovitis 2 months into treatment, with an old arthrotomy scar (arrowed).
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fig2
There was acute synovitis of both knees with an old arthrotomy scar on the left (Figure 2). Her knee swelling and tenderness had improved (Figure 2(c)), with a significant decline in her inflammatory markers (ESR-34 mm/hr, CRP 42.7 mg/l).
Lateral cervical X-ray showed partial narrowing in the region of the cricoid cartilage (arrowed).
CRIRH2021-3600451.003.jpg
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fig3
Lateral cervical X-ray showed partial narrowing in the region of the cricoid cartilage (Figure 3).
Compression fracture at the L1 vertebra (arrowed), with similar but milder changes in the T11, L3, and L4 vertebrae suggestive of a bone softening process due to glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis and underlying hemoglobinopathy a year and a half into the treatment of her condition.
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fig4
A compression fracture was confirmed on MRI, with similar but less pronounced changes seen in T11, L3, and L4 vertebrae, suggestive of a bone softening process in keeping with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis and underlying hemoglobinopathy (Figure 4).