TY - JOUR
T1 - Conjunctival nodule in rheumatoid arthritis
AU - Kheirkhah, Ahmad
AU - Amoli, Fahimeh Asadi
AU - Azari, Amir A.
AU - Molaei, Saber
AU - Roozbahani, Mehdi
PY - 2012/2/1
Y1 - 2012/2/1
N2 - Conjunctival nodule is very rarely seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Previously reported cases were associated with the use of methotrexate. Here, we report a conjunctival rheumatoid nodule without such prior treatment. A 49-year-old woman with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, who was being treated only with oral steroids and hydroxychloroquine, developed diffuse anterior scleritis in the right eye. In addition, examination showed a focal raised yellow/tan conjunctival nodule. The nodule was within the bulbar conjunctiva with no attachments to the underlying tissue, which is different from nodular scleritis. The nodule was not tender on palpation. The patient underwent excisional biopsy of the nodule. Intraoperatively, the lesion was noted to be a firm nodule within substantia propria of the conjunctiva. Hematoxylin-eosin staining of the specimen revealed a central area of necrosis surrounded by palisades of histiocytes. Increased dosage of oral steroid after the biopsy resulted in resolution of the ocular symptoms and signs. In conclusion, rheumatoid nodules may be seen in the conjunctiva even without prior treatment with methotrexate. These nodules may show the severity of the underlying disease and the need for more aggressive treatment.
AB - Conjunctival nodule is very rarely seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Previously reported cases were associated with the use of methotrexate. Here, we report a conjunctival rheumatoid nodule without such prior treatment. A 49-year-old woman with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, who was being treated only with oral steroids and hydroxychloroquine, developed diffuse anterior scleritis in the right eye. In addition, examination showed a focal raised yellow/tan conjunctival nodule. The nodule was within the bulbar conjunctiva with no attachments to the underlying tissue, which is different from nodular scleritis. The nodule was not tender on palpation. The patient underwent excisional biopsy of the nodule. Intraoperatively, the lesion was noted to be a firm nodule within substantia propria of the conjunctiva. Hematoxylin-eosin staining of the specimen revealed a central area of necrosis surrounded by palisades of histiocytes. Increased dosage of oral steroid after the biopsy resulted in resolution of the ocular symptoms and signs. In conclusion, rheumatoid nodules may be seen in the conjunctiva even without prior treatment with methotrexate. These nodules may show the severity of the underlying disease and the need for more aggressive treatment.
KW - Conjunctival nodule
KW - Methotrexate
KW - Rheumatoid arthritis
KW - Rheumatoid nodule
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U2 - 10.1007/s10792-012-9514-8
DO - 10.1007/s10792-012-9514-8
M3 - Article
C2 - 22271069
AN - SCOPUS:84857571887
VL - 32
SP - 81
EP - 83
JO - International Ophthalmology
JF - International Ophthalmology
SN - 0165-5701
IS - 1
ER -