When polyarteritis nodosa isn’t PAN: Two cases of mimics, segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) & vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS), are explored.
A Sound Diagnosis for Glandular Swelling
In this case study, ultrasonography proves useful for excluding a diagnosis of Sjögren’s disease, leading to a correct diagnosis of IgG4-RD.
Case Report: Leprosy Masquerading as Relapsing Polychondritis
Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) are known for their systemic presentations and multi-organ involvement. Numerous infectious diseases, particularly mycobacterial, fungal and indolent bacterial infections endemic to specific geographic regions, present with varied signs and symptoms of multi-system involvement and can mimic AIRDs. Thus, differentiating infection from an AIRD is critical to resolve competing treatment approaches. This…
Case Report: Persistent Pruritic Plaques in Adult-Onset Still’s Disease
Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a systemic autoinflammatory disorder characterized by persistent fever at regular intervals, arthralgias or arthritis, rash, sore throat and neutrophilic leukocytosis.1,2 Significant elevation in ferritin levels is characteristic and tends to correlate with disease activity. Additional clinical features may include myalgias, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, serositis, myocarditis, abnormal liver function tests and development…
Case Report: Persistent Knee Warmth Mimics Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Intra-articular venous malformations of the knee are an uncommon cause of knee pain in children. Presenting symptoms of this rare subtype of venous malformation often include nonspecific pain and joint swelling, which may be episodic, and accompanied by limited range of motion. The signs and symptoms can mimic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Timely diagnosis of…
COPA Syndrome: What Do We Know About This Rare Disease?
ACR CONVERGENCE 2020—Tiphanie Phillips Vogel, MD, PhD, assistant professor of pediatrics and internal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, moderated the session on COPA syndrome, which drew 324 attendees on a Sunday morning. This rare genetic cause of immune dysregulation can present like anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis, lupus, lupus nephritis or rheumatoid…
Sicca Sleuthing: Clinical Pearls for Diagnosing & Treating Sjögren’s Syndrome
ATLANTA—Dry eyes and mouth are common symptoms in the general population. When patients report these symptoms to their primary care provider and other consultants, it may prompt a referral to a rheumatologist to rule out Sjögren’s syndrome. However, as discussed in the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting session, Sjögren’s Syndrome: Beyond the Dryness, evaluation of this…
Research Sheds Light on Scleromyxedema, a Rare Skin Disorder
Scleromyxedema is a rare, mucinous skin disorder of unknown origin, one of a number of conditions that mimic systemic sclerosis. Although cases of scleromyxedema remain rare, a better understanding of its mechanisms of action could have implications for the research and treatment of scleroderma and related autoimmune conditions, says Laura K. Hummers, MD, ScM, co-director…
Disease Mimicry: Genetic Diseases Can Produce Rheumatic Symptoms
CHICAGO—The 2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting session on genetic mimics of rheumatic disease began with a description of a patient who presented with the symptoms of childhood-onset lupus but instead had a well-defined genetic disease: lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI). Lindsay Burrage, MD, PhD, assistant professor of molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston,…
Case Report: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Mimicking Vasculitis
A 43-year-old man with a past medical history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, bilateral inguinal hernia repair as a child and prior cholecystectomy woke from sleep with sudden-onset periumbilical abdominal pain. He was admitted to another hospital, but required transfer to our surgical intensive care unit after a recurrent episode of severe abdominal pain, during…