Firm Cutaneous Nodule on the Dorsal Hand: A Case Report on Fibroblastic Rheumatism

Fibroblastic rheumatism (FR) is a rare dermatoarthropathy of unknown etiology. It is characterized by the onset of firm cutaneous nodules in patients with rheumatologic symptoms such as arthralgias or symmetric polyarthritis. Clinicopathologic correlation is critical in establishing the diagnosis, as the clinical manifestations can resemble other fibrosing conditions. In this report, we review the clinical and histologic features of FR, as well as conditions similar to those of the case we present, with dermatologic and rheumatologic manifestations. As part of our research, a PubMed search of the following terms was performed: "arthralgia, arthritis, arthropathy, cutaneous, disease, fibroblast, fibrosing, nodule, rheumatism, and rheumatology". This report discusses a unique case of FR diagnosed in a 37-year-old man with a single cutaneous nodule.