Video: Every Case Tells a Story| Webinar: ACR/CHEST ILD Guidelines in Practice

An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Insights Into Ulnar Artery Occlusion in Systemic Sclerosis

Devin M. Driscoll, MD, Andreea M. Bujor, MD, PhD, & Eugene Y. Kissin, MD, Rhmsus  |  Issue: April 2021  |  

In Sum

This case highlights the value of hand ultrasound for rheumatologists treating patients with systemic sclerosis.

Devin Marie Driscoll, MD, PGY2, is an internal medicine resident, Boston Medical Center.

ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE

Andreea M. Bujor, MD, PhD, is an assistant professor, Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine.

Eugene Kissin, MD, RhMSUS, is a clinical professor of medicine, Boston University School of Medicine.

ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE

References

  1. Fleischmajer R, Perlish JS, Shaw KV, et al. Skin capillary changes in early systemic scleroderma. Electron microscopy and in vitro autoradiography with tritiated thymidine. Arch Dermatol. 1976 Nov;112(11):1553–1557.
  2. Grassi W, Core P, Carlino G, et al. Labial capillary microscopy in systemic sclerosis. Ann Rheum Dis. 1993 Aug;52(8):564–569.
  3. Stafford L, Englert H, Gover J, et al. Distribution of macrovascular disease in scleroderma. Ann Rheum Dis. 1998 Aug;57(8):476–479.
  4. Taylor MH, McFadden JA, Bolster MB, et al. Ulnar artery involvement in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). J Rheumatol. 2002 Jan;29(1):102–106.
  5. Frerix M, Stegbauer J, Dragun D, et al. Ulnar artery occlusion is predictive of digital ulcers in SSc: A duplex sonography study. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2012 Apr;51(4):735–742.
  6. Lescoat A, Yelnik CM, Coiffier G, et al. Ulnar artery occlusion and severity markers of vasculopathy in systemic sclerosis: A multi-center cross-sectional study. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2019 Jun;71(6):983–990.
  7. Sunderkotter C, Herrgott I, Bruckner C, et al. Comparison of patients with and without digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis: detection of possible risk factors. Br J Dermatol. 2009 Apr;160(4):835–843.
  8. Lescoat A, Coiffier G, de Carlan M, et al. Combination of capillaroscopic and ultrasonographic evaluations in systemic sclerosis: Results of a cross-sectional study. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2018 Jun;70(6):938–943.

Related Articles
    A transverse view of the ulnar groove in full elbow extension. The red arrow indicates the advancing edge of the MHTr.

    Recurrent Medial Elbow Pain Following Successful Tommy John Surgery

    A 27-year-old, left-handed man was referred to our ultrasound clinic for left elbow pain. History The patient had been a pitcher on a Minor League Baseball team. Two years before, he developed sudden, severe medial elbow pain while pitching in a game. The pain was associated with some tingling down the left medial forearm. The…

    Oksana Shufrych TKTK / Shutterstock.com

    Heated Gloves May Improve Hand Function in Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis

    Systemic sclerosis (SSc), a subtype of scleroderma, is a rare, complex autoimmune disease characterized by widespread vasculopathy of the small arteries and fibroblast dysfunction.1,2 It has been described as a fibrosing micro­vascular disease, because vascular injury precedes and leads to tissue fibrosis.3 The resulting Raynaud’s phenomenon, pain, skin thickening and tightening, and multi-organ involvement have…

    Lost and found

    The History of ACE Inhibitors in Scleroderma Renal Crisis

    Scleroderma renal crisis is a true medical emergency in rheumatology, one that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Here, we review the historic introduction of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in this context, and highlight management and key questions moving forward. Background Awareness of renal disease in scleroderma dates back many years. The revered physician William Osler…