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The value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of limited scleroderma – a case report

Systemic sclerosis, popularly referred to as scleroderma, is a chronic connective tissue disease with present autoantibodies against platelet-derived growth factor receptor. These antibodies activate directly fibroblasts causing the dermis and internal organs’ fibrosis and vascular damage. Additiona...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Pracoń, Grzegorz, Płaza, Mateusz, Walentowska-Janowicz, Marta, Sudoł-Szopińska, Iwona
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Medical Communications Sp. z o.o. 2015
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4657401/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26675049
http://dx.doi.org/10.15557/JoU.2015.0029
Descripción
Sumario:Systemic sclerosis, popularly referred to as scleroderma, is a chronic connective tissue disease with present autoantibodies against platelet-derived growth factor receptor. These antibodies activate directly fibroblasts causing the dermis and internal organs’ fibrosis and vascular damage. Additionally, calcific collections, including hydroxyapatite crystals, may develop in subcutaneous tissue and juxta-articular soft tissue. Herein, we report a case of a 72-year-old woman, referred by a rheumatologist for plain radiography and ultrasound examination of hands due to pain and swelling of the fourth finger of the left hand. Dermal induration affecting hands, especially fourth finger on the left side and the Raynaud phenomenon were observed on physical examination. Furthermore, the patient had noticed periodic discharge with a toothpaste consistency from a tiny fistula localised in the vicinity of the fourth finger alterations. The paper emphasises a possible application of the twinkling artefact and MicroPure option on ultrasound examination in differential diagnosis of soft tissue calcifications. Making the correct diagnosis can attribute to precise planning of surgical treatment.