Rheumatoid nodulosis: an unusual variant of rheumatoid disease

A middle-aged man developed multiple subcutaneous nodules associated with palindromic rheumatism. There was little evidence of synovitis; however multiple cyst-like intraosseous radiolucencies were noted. Nodules from two sites were histologically typical rheumatoid nodules. Subjective and objective improvement occurred during penicillamine therapy. This clincial presentation seems sufficiently distinctive to warrant characterization as a variant of rheumatoid disease termed by us: rheumatoid nodulosis.