Findings

Gross photograph showing fusiform swelling of fingers due to inflammation of interphalangeal joints.

Impression

Rheumatoid arthritis

Clinical Pathologic Correlation
RA is a very common disease with an average age of onset in the 4th or 5th decade. It is 3-5 times more common in women than in men.

Pathology Pointer

RA is a systemic disease affecting mainly the joints, causing synovitis and eventually destruction of articular cartilage. Although the pathogenesis of RA is not clearly established, immunologic and genetic factors appear to be involved. RA produces symmetrical arthritis involving mainly small joints. The fusiform swelling of finger joints shown above is the result of extension of the inflammation from the joints into adjacent soft tissues.

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Clinical photograph

Specimen

Hand

Image Credit

Dr. Michael Weisman
Department of Medicine
School of Medicine
University of California, San Diego