FIBROBLASTIC RHEUMATISM

Background: Fibroblastic rheumatism was first described in the French literature in 1980. Since that time, ii other patients with this disor der have been identified in the literature, mostly from France. This i s a unique syndrome characterized by the sudden onset of symmetric pol yarthritis and cutaneous nodules ranging from 5 to 20 mm in diameter, with predilection for the upper and lower extremities. While the cutan eous findings resolve spontaneously after several months, permanent jo int sequelae are common. Observations: We present the first two patien ts with fibroblastic rheumatism reported in the United States. The cli nical features and histologic findings were identical to those of pati ents described in the European literature. Conclusions: Fibroblastic r heumatism is a relatively rare syndrome characterized by the associati on of multiple cutaneous nodules with polyarthritis. The clustering of cases in France may, in part, be attributable to increased recognitio n by clinicians owing to prevalence of reports in the European literat ure. Perhaps, as clinicians in the United States become familiar with this disorder, further cases will be diagnosed, and the pathogenesis o f the disorder will be elucidated.