Pseudotumoral calcinosis of the wrist compressing the radial nerve in systemic sclerosis

• Published in: Annales de dermatologie et de vénéréologie Vol. 147; no. 5; pp. 366 - 369
• Main Authors: Driouach, S, Mounir, A, Elkhader, S, Zinebi, A, El Baaj, M, Moudden, M K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.05.2020
• Subjects: Calcinosis - complications; Calcinosis - etiology; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Nerve Compression Syndromes - etiology; Radial Nerve; Scleroderma, Systemic - complications; Wrist; Sclérodermie systémique; Ductal syndrome; Syndrome canalaire; Radial nerve; Systemic sclerosis; Calcinose pseudo-tumorale; Nerf radial; Pseudotumoral calcinosis
• ISSN: 0151-9638
• DOI: 10.1016/j.annder.2019.09.612

Pseudotumoral calcinosis, a rare complication of systemic scleroderma, is characterized by the presence in extra-articular tissue, but rarely intra-articular tissue, of large masses made up of hydroxyapatite crystals. We report an original case of intra- and extra-articular pseudotumoral calcinosis of the wrist diagnosed in a patient followed for mild systemic scleroderma. The calcinosis was revealed in a highly unusual way via ductal syndrome secondary to compression of the radial nerve in the wrist. Surgical treatment resulted in marked clinical and functional improvement. Although subcutaneous calcinoses are a fairly common complication of systemic scleroderma, the pseudo-tumoral form remains extremely rare. It may be complicated by pain, recurrent infection, and functional restriction, but literature contains only very rare reports of its revelation via ductal syndrome.