Fibroblastic rheumatism

A rare rheumatologic disease characterized by sudden onset of symmetric inflammatory distal polyarthritis and multiple firm cutaneous nodules with predilection for the upper and lower extremities. Patients often develop sclerodactyly and joint contractures. Skin biopsy shows fibroblastic proliferation in a matrix of thickened collagen fibers, with loss of elastic fibers and no mucin deposition.