Rheumatoid nodulosis. A relatively benign rheumatoid variant

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Abstract
Subcutaneous nodules and rheumatoid factor (RF) are criteria used to diagnose rheumatoid disease. Their presence correlates with disease severity and poorer prognosis. They are reported in patients with little arthritis and no systemic disease. Such patients (4) were studied, in whom RF was present in high titer; nodules were often extensive (nodulosis) and involved elbows, hands and feet, with a predilection for tendons; and roentgenograms showed large, subchondral bone cysts without cortical erosion or correlation with nodule location. The conditions of 3 of these patients were previously misdiagnosed as gout or xanthoma. These findings were similar to those in 7 other literature patients. Apparently nodulosis, bone cysts and elevated RF with little active arthritis constitute a relatively benign variant of rheumatoid disease.

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