Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis with Very Unusual X-ray Findings

Authors

• Laith Alamlih Rheumatology Department, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
• Mohamed Alkahlout Rheumatology Department, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
• Abdulrahim Siam Rheumatology Department, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
• Syed Alam
• Abdul-Wahab Al-Allaf Rheumatology Department, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar

aalallaf1@hamad.qa

Keywords

Abstract

We described the case of a 23-year-old Nepalese man with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and abnormal x-ray findings, found to be due to a very rare bone disease: Camurati Engelmann disease or progressive diaphyseal dysplasia (PDD). This is the first case reported in the Gulf area, although approximately 300 cases have been described worldwide. These patients usually present with limb pain and easy fatigability. Our patient first presented with bilateral, symmetrical inflammatory polyarthritis involving the knees, ankles and wrists but sparing the hands and feet. The diagnosis of PDD in our case was based on the classic radiological findings and a bone scan.