THE ARTHROPATHY OF FIBROBLASTIC RHEUMATISM

Fibroblastic rheumatism (FR) is a relatively rare syndrome characteriz ed by the association of multiple cutaneous nodules with polyarthritis . The unique histologic finding in the skin and synovium of patients w ith FR is a proliferation of myofibroblast-like cells within a backgro und matrix of collagen. The occurrence of erosive arthritis has not be en emphasized in previous descriptions of FR. We describe a patient wi th FR who presented with symmetric polyarthritis, skin thickening, and dermal nodules. Despite treatment with prednisone and D-penicillamine , he developed a progressive, destructive polyarthropathy that mimicke d multicentric reticulohistiocytosis.