A 45-year-old woman presented with long-term Raynaud’s phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, telangiectasia, and shortened fingertips (Figure 1). Examination revealed positive anticentromere antibody (ACA), with no evidence of pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease. Radiography of her hands revealed the resorption of the distal phalangeal tufts (acro-osteolysis) and soft tissue calcifications (calcinosis cutis) (Figure 2). Acro-osteolysis is a characteristic of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and has been estimated to occur in approximately 20%–25% patients (1, 2). The pathogenesis of acroosteolysis in SSc is not well understood, and presumed mechanisms include a reduction of vascular supply, compression from skin tightening, and impaired angiogenesis, among many others.
Figure 1.
Long-term Raynaud’s phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, telangiectasia, and shortened fingertips
Figure 2.
Radiography of the resorption of the distal phalangeal tufts (acro-osteolysis) and soft tissue calcifications (calcinosis cutis)
Footnotes
Informed Consent: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient who participated in this study.
Peer-review: Externally peer-reviewed.
Author Contributions: Concept - W.J., N.E., F.L.; Design - W.J., N.E.; Supervision - W.J.; Materials - F.L.; Data Collection and/or Processing - W.J., N.E., F.L.; Analysis and/or Interpretation - W.J., N.E., F.L.; Literature Search - W.J., N.E., F.L.; Writing Manuscript - W.J., N.E., F.L.; Critical Review - W.J., N.E., F.L.
Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
Financial Disclosure: The authors declared that this study has received no financial support.
References
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