Rheumatoid nodule presenting as a buccal submucosal nodule: A rare presentation of a common disease.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid nodules are a common manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis but buccal rheumatoid nodules are extremely rare. The purpose of this study was to report a rare case of a rheumatoid buccal nodule and a review of the literature. METHODS AND RESULTS: This case is about a 79-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis who was taking methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine, presenting with an enlarging left buccal submucosal mass. An incisional biopsy showed features consistent with that of a rheumatoid nodule. The mass was managed expectantly and the patient was taken off methotrexate with a marked reduction in the size of the nodule. CONCLUSION: Submucosal rheumatoid nodules of the oral cavity are an extremely rare manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis but should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with a history of rheumatoid arthritis presenting with submucosal masses. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Head Neck 39: E12-E14, 2017.

Leptomeningeal rheumatoid nodules: diagnosis and failed therapeutics.

A 67-year-old woman presented with recurrent transient ischaemic attack-like episodes over a 2 year period. Nodular enhancing leptomeningeal changes were detected on MRI and were consistent with meningeal rheumatoid nodules on biopsy. The patient's nodular disease continued to progress and regress clinically and radiologically irrespective of disease modifying agents and peripheral and serological rheumatoid arthritis control. This patient's unique presentation and diagnostic work-up is discussed alongside the dilemma of therapeutic management of meningeal rheumatoid nodules.

[Complications and systemic manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis]. / Complications et atteintes systémiques de la polyarthrite rhumatoïde.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in addition to the traditional joint damage can affect all organs as a systemic disease. Extra-articular manifestations of RA are highly variable ranging from rheumatoid nodules (most common) to rheumatoid vasculitis presenting a significant morbidity and mortality (49% at 5 years). With the new algorithms of treatment (earlier) and the use of biologics, the incidence of severe extra-articular manifestations decreases. Regarding the treatment of rheumatoid vasculitis, rituximab looks promising. RA also increases cardiovascular risk and the risk of osteoporosis. It is therefore important to identify these risks and, if appropriate, treat them. Collaboration with the general practitioner is essential in this situation.

Soft tissue swellings in the foot: rheumatoid nodulosis.

Background rheumatoid nodulosis is a rare disease characterised by multiple subcutaneous nodules, a high titre of rheumatoid factor, radiologically detectable cystic bone lesions, but with none or few of the systemic manifestations or joint activity of rheumatoid disease. Histopathologically, nodulosis is the same as the nodules found in rheumatoid arthritis. It is considered to be a benign variant of rheumatoid arthritis. A 69 year old male presents with multiple subcutaneous nodules on the feet. This case study highlights the benefits of ultrasound in establishing a correct diagnosis and management. Although rare, rheumatoid nodulosis is a consideration in the differential diagnoses of soft tissue swellings in the feet.

Nódulos reumatoides: avaliação comparativa da resposta terapêutica com triancinolona e fluoruracil intralesional / Rheumatoid nodules: evaluation of the therapeutic response to intralesional fluorouracil and triamcinolone

Os nódulos reumatoides correspondem à manifestação extra-articular mais comum da artrite reumatoide, ocorrendo em cerca de 20-25 por cento dos pacientes. A etiologia é desconhecida. Apesar de os nódulos poderem apresentar remissão espontânea durante o tratamento, eles, em geral, representam um desafio terapêutico. Apresenta-se um caso no qual se avaliou a resposta dos nódulos reumatoides por meio de ultrassonografia após infiltração de triancinolona e 5-fluoruracil.

Rheumatoid nodules are the most common extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis and are present in around 20-25 percent of patients. Their etiology is unknown and although the nodules may undergo spontaneous remission during the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, they usually constitute a therapeutic challenge. The present paper describes a case in which the response of rheumatoid nodules was evaluated by ultrasound following infiltration of triamcinolone acetonide and 5-fluorouracil.

Pressure generated by syringes: implications for hydrodissection and injection of dense connective tissue lesions.

OBJECTIVE: Hydrodissection and high-pressure injection are important for the treatment of dense connective tissue lesions including rheumatoid nodules, Dupuytren's contracture, and trigger finger. The present study determined the optimal syringes for high-pressure injection of dense connective tissue lesions. METHODS: Different sizes (1, 3, 5, 10, 20, and 60 mL) of a mechanical syringe (reciprocating procedure device) with a luer-lock fitting were studied. Twenty operators generated maximum pressure with each mechanical syringe size, and pressure was measured in pounds per square inch (psi). Subsequently, 223 dense connective tissue lesions were injected with different sizes of syringes (1, 3, or 10 mL). Outcomes included (i) successful intralesional injection and (ii) clinical response at 2 weeks. RESULTS: Smaller syringes generated significantly more injection pressure than did larger syringes: 1 mL (363 ± 197 psi), 3 mL (177 ± 96 psi), 5 mL (73 ± 40 psi), 10 mL (53 ± 29 psi), 20 mL (32 ± 18 psi), and 60 mL (19 ± 12 psi). Similarly, smaller syringes were superior to larger syringes for intralesional injection success: 10 mL: 34% (15/44) vs. 1 mL: 100% (70/70) (p < 0.001) and 3 mL: 91% (99/109) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Smaller syringes (≤ 3 mL) are superior to larger syringes (≥ 5 mL) for successful hydrodissection and high-pressure intralesional injection of dense connective tissue lesions.

Rheumatoid nodules: evaluation of the therapeutic response to intralesional fluorouracil and triamcinolone.

Rheumatoid nodules are the most common extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis and are present in around 20-25% of patients. Their etiology is unknown and although the nodules may undergo spontaneous remission during the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, they usually constitute a therapeutic challenge. The present paper describes a case in which the response of rheumatoid nodules was evaluated by ultrasound following infiltration of triamcinolone acetonide and 5-fluorouracil.

Rheumatoid nodule.

Rheumatoid nodules are the most common extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis. Dermatologist may be concerned with the diagnosis and management of rheumatoid nodules, although most patients will probably be under the care of a rheumatologist. This article focuses in clinical, pathogenic, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of rheumatoid nodules. Classic rheumatoid nodules commonly occur in genetically predisposed patients with severe, seropositive arthritis. However, they may appear in other clinical settings. Accelerated rheumatoid nodulosis, especially involving the hands, has been reported in patients receiving methotrexate, antitumor necrosis factor alpha biologic drugs or leflunomide therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid nodulosis is characterized by multiple rheumatoid nodules, recurrent joint symptoms with minimal clinical or radiologic involvement, and a benign clinical course. Pseudorheumatoid nodules have been reported in healthy children. Although histologically almost indistinguishable from true rheumatoid nodules, some consider these lesions to be a form of deep granuloma annulare.

Nodulose acelerada na artrite reumatóide durante terapia com Leflunomida / Accelerated nodulosis in rheumatoid arthritis during Leflunomide therapy

Nodulose acelerada (NA) é o desenvolvimento de um grande número de nódulos durante um curto intervalo de tempo em pacientes adultos com artrite reumatóide (AR) soropositiva ou soronegativa. Esses nódulos são usualmente associados à terapia com o metotrexato. Existem três relatos de casos descritos de pacientes que desenvolveram NA periférica durante o tratamento com leflunomida. Descrevemos o caso de uma paciente de 60 anos com diagnóstico de AR soropositiva que desenvolveu o quadro de NA depois de quatro meses de terapia com leflunomida. Após um período de oito meses de interrupção do uso da droga, houve regressão completa da nodulose.

Accelerated nodulosis is the development of a large number of nodules during a short time in adult patients presenting either seropositive or seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. These nodules are usually described as associated to methotrexate therapy. There have been three case reports of patients who developed peripheral accelerated nodulosis while receiving leflunomide. We describe a 60-years old woman with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis who developed accelerated nodulosis after four months receiving leflunomide therapy. The patient had a complete regression of the subcutaneous nodules eight months after cessation of leflunomide.

[Retroperitoneal fibrosis and arthritis--a manifestation of the same illness]. / Retroperitonealfibrose und Arthritis--Manifestation derselben Erkrankung.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis is a disorder in which the retroperitoneal fat is the site of a subacute and chronic inflammatory reaction and is subsequently replaced by dense fibrotic tissue. Rheumatoid nodules are chronic granulomata occurring at sites of pressure and movement, both near the body surface and internally. A 55-year-old sales-manager was admitted to radiation synovectomy after a 5 year history of excessive right and left knee effusions. There were no other clinical or laboratory abnormalities. The patient did not respond to either radioisotope synoviorthesis using radioactive Yttrium (90 Y), or to open synovectomy and prostetic surgery of the right knee. One year later, surgery of left ureter was necessary. Histological findings revealed the diagnosis of Ormond's disease. Comparative histological studies of synovial membrane of knee and retroperitoneal tissues showed local necrosis, fibrin deposition, lining cell proliferation, and infiltration by lymphocytes. Diagnosis of arthritis complicated by retroperitoneal rheumatoid nodules and retroperitoneal fibrosis was made. Serum rheumatoid factor has been negative. For the last 3 years, the patient has been on successful therapy with azathioprine. Rheumatoid nodules of the retroperitoneum have vanished completely and frequency of knee effusions decreased.

Non-neoplastic tumors of the hand and upper extremity.

A variety of non-neoplastic, tumor-like conditions exist in the upper extremity. Some are common, others rare. Careful history, physical diagnosis, and a variety of imaging modalities can be helpful in arriving at an accurate diagnosis and developing a successful treatment plan for this group of lesions.

Rheumatoid arthritic foot. Two manifestations with case studies.

The authors review rheumatoid arthritis with focus on two pedal manifestations, rheumatoid nodules and digital deformities. The prevalence, presentation, and diagnostic features concerning these entities are discussed, and three case studies are presented.

The subcutaneous rheumatoid nodule.

The subcutaneous rheumatoid nodule is a common and diagnostically significant finding in rheumatoid arthritis. The presence of these extra-articular lesions correlates with the extent of joint involvement and they are an index of disease severity. The nodules themselves may give rise to clinical problems and the indications for surgical treatment include erosion and infection, peripheral neuropathy or pain from pressure, and limitation of motion because of the location of the lesion. Less frequently, rheumatoid nodules present in patients with rheumatoid nodulosis, a variant of rheumatoid disease where the nodules themselves are the primary manifestation of the disease and surgical treatment is highly useful. While subcutaneous nodules are very characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis and its variants, they are not quite pathognomonic. Rarely, they are found in the absence of rheumatoid disease, especially in lupus erythematosus and in healthy children.