A case of Schnitzler’s syndrome without monoclonal gammopathy successfully treated with canakinumab

Abstract

Background: Schnitzler’s syndrome (SchS) is a rare autoinflammatory syndrome with diagnostic challenge and be characterized by chronic urticaria, a monoclonal gammopath, periodic fever and bone pain. In addition to the monoclonal gammopathy, bone abnormalities are often found at the site of bone pain in patients with SchS. The remarkable efficacy of interleukin-1 (IL-1) inhibition was also demonstrated in this syndrome. Case presentation: We describe a case of refractory chronic urticaria presenting with clinical manifestations consistent with SchS without monoclonal gammopathy. A 43-year-old female patient suffering from recurring of urticaria with periodic fever as well as bone pain for the past 4 years. The patient had leukocytosis and elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA). PET/CT (positron emission tomography/computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) examination revealed hyper-metabolism areas in both femoral bone marrow. Although bone marrow histology revealed no abnormality, urticarial skin lesions shows neutrophilic infiltrations without evidence of vasculitis. We could not exclude the possibility of SchS. The patient had been treated with antihistamines, steroids, omarizumab, colchicine and cyclosporine A, no therapeutic effect was observed. She was started on canakinumab 150 mg subcutaneous injection with 4 weeks interval. Within 48 h after the first injection, the urticarial rash disappeared, and febrile attack and bone pain had not recurred. Elevated levels of serum CRP and SAA were normalized within a week after the first injection of canakinumab. Conclusions: The current case suggests an important role for IL-1 as a mediator in the pathophysiology of SchS-like refractory urticaria with bine pain. It had been presumed that monoclonal gammopathy may not always present in SchS. It is important to avoid delay in diagnosis and initiation of proper treatment in SchS or autoinflammatory conditions resembling SchS.