Rheumatoid Nodules Presenting as Soft Tissue Sarcoma. A Rare Presentation of Rheumatoid Arthritis and a Brief Review of the Literature

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized primarily by symmetric polyarthritis with systemic inflammatory components and extra-articular manifestations. Subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules (RNs) constitute one of the classical components of the clinical picture of RA. However, its manifestation as multiple back nodules are quite rare, and may be diagnostically challenging and mistaken for more serious conditions. Thus, comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and histopathological confirmation are essential for diagnosis and treatment, especially in patients with no history of rheumatoid manifestation. We describe a case of a 45-year-old woman presenting with multiple back nodules, who was potentially misdiagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma. However, further investigations concluded the diagnosis of RNs. We discuss this uncommon presentation and briefly review the related literature.