Scleroderma (Subscribe)  

Plasma cytokine profiles differ in SSc patients based on the presence of SSc-associated autoantibodies. Plasma cytokine profiles in SSc patients may also be affected by disease duration and the pattern of internal organ involvement.
Plasma cytokine profiles in systemic sclerosis: associations with autoantibody subsets and clinical manifestations Pravitt Gourh , Frank C...

Radiology case 438-6132 68 year old female with ischaemia and ulcers of her fingers.
There is amorphous calcification in the soft tissue over the fingers and thumb. In the index and middle finger, the clumped calcification is near the skin suface. The soft-tissue thickening over the fingers is featureless with none...

Peripheral nervous system involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is rare, and is usually limited to carpal tunnel syndrome. Ulnar nerve involvement secondary to compression of Guyon's canal has been reported in two patients. Herein, we describe for the first time an SSc patient who developed bilateral ulnar nerve sensorimotor compression...

A multi-organ disease (chest, bone, GI, etc.) of unknown etiology, affecting F> M.
Immune?
Abnormal collagen metabolism?
Vascular abnormality?
Clinically,
* Skin thickening (edema ->fibrosis)
* Muscle weakness
* Raynaud's phenomenon -- paroxysmal occlusion of digital arteries.
Can be seen as isolated disease of associated with other entities including...

Scleroderma is a systemic disease, but commonly affects the hands in several ways. Finger stiffness is typical. Scleroderma may be associated with other syndromes, and a common combination is Calcinosis, Raynaud's, Esophageal motility disorders, Scleroderma and Telangiectasias - CREST syndrome. In this syndrome, the hands are affected by calcinosis, Raynaud's...