ABSTRACT
Ocurrence of subcutaneous nodules in rheumatic diseases is frequent, and occasionally may be source of diagnostic confusion. These nodules are also seen in other entities such as collagen vascular diseases, metabolic and storage diseases, infections, induced by chemicals, and sometimes of unkown etiology. Subcutaneous nodules are usually asociated to systemic diseases and given its charasteristic, location, and histopathology it is possible to make a specific diagnosis. This review discusses in a minute fashion the history, histopathology, and diagnosis of subcutaneous nodules. In addition several clinical cases are reported and discussed
Subject(s)
Humans , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/classification , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/complications , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/diagnosis , Rheumatoid Nodule/complications , Rheumatoid Nodule/diagnosis , Rheumatoid Nodule/epidemiologyABSTRACT
A 49-year-old male patient, an active case of sero positive rheumatoid arthritis involving multiple joints with bilateral necrobiotic pulmonary nodules is presented. Initial symptoms were of progressively increasing dyspnoea. The nodule in the right lung subsequently cavitated leading to pyopneumothorax. The diagnosis of rheumatoid lung was confirmed by post-mortem.