Case 1: Calcinosis around the joints of hands and arteries

S. Chandrashekara

Chanre Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Basaweswaranagar, Bangalore, India. Tel:+ 91 80 42516699; fax: +91 80 42516600

Calcinosis is an unusual tissue response seen in certain connective tissue diseases. It usually occurs in subcutaneous tissues, and the involvement of arteries and their walls is less common. The figure 1 shows the hand X- ray of a 38-year-old female patient with limited systemic sclerosis. The patient was diagnosed around 10 years ago. She was not on regular medical care for the last 4 years prior to her current visit. The patient had recently presented with multiple painful nodules over her wrists and knuckles on both hands (Figure 2). The X-ray reveals extensive calcinosis around the joints and ulnar arteries of both the hands.

Figure 1: Hand X-ray of a patient with limited sclerosis showing extensive calcinosis and ulnar artery calcification.

Figure 2: Photograph showing multiple painful nodules over wrists and knuckles