Abstract

Calcinosis cutis is a rare disorder characterized by of deposition of insoluble calcium salts in the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Five subtypes of calcinosis cutis are described: dystrophic, metastatic, idiopathic, iatrogenic, and calciphylaxis.

Of these subtypes, dystrophic calcinosis (DC) is the most common, and it is the most frequently seen in association with underlying autoimmune connective tissue diseases.2 Dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis and less commonly systemic lupus erythematous were described to be complicated by DC. However, DC associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is extremely rare.2 

The condition causes substantial morbidity and is associated with pain and limitation of movement when the process involves areas close to joints or when ulceration occurs.2 We report a middle age Sudanese woman with good controlled RA who developed dystrophic calcinosis cutis.

Keywords

rheumatoid arthritis, calcinosis cutis, dystrophic, ulceration, morbidity, progressive darkening, discomfort, pain, protein antibodies, symmetrical polyarthritis, phase reactants, small joints, glucocorticoid, neurologic deficits, constitutional symptoms, phenomenon