First manifestations of seronegative spondylarthropathy following autologous stem cell transplantation in HLA-B27-positive patients

Two male patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL, follicular NHL, diffuse large B cell NHL, both in 2nd complete remission) and one female patient with acute myeloid leukemia in 1st complete remission developed arthralgias and enthesopathy following autologous stem cell transplantation. In 2/3 patients, sacroiliitis could be demonstrated on X-ray. In both patients, the rheumatic symptoms were classified as manifestations of a spondylarthropathy. All three patients were subsequently shown to be HLA-B27-positive. The patients were successfully treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The differential diagnosis of joint pain following autologous stem cell transplantation should include HLA-B27-associated spondylarthropathies in addition to the more commonly seen bone and joint pain due to immobilization and medication.