Monocytic fasciitis: a newly recognized clinical feature of tumor necrosis factor receptor dysfunction

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) is a dominantly inherited autoinflammatory syndrome that results from mutations in TNFRSF1A, the gene that encodes the 55-kd tumor necrosis factor receptor. Clinically, patients present with recurrent episodes of fever in conjunction with localized inflammation at various sites. Myalgia is one of the most characteristic features of this syndrome and is frequently associated with an overlying erythematous, macular rash that, together with the myalgia, displays centrifugal migration. This has previously been believed to occur as a result of myositis. We describe herein the case of a 60-year-old man with TRAPS, in whom magnetic resonance imaging of the left thigh demonstrated edematous changes in the muscle compartments and surrounding soft tissues. A full-thickness wedge biopsy was performed, and hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry analysis of the specimen demonstrated normal myofibrils but a severely destructive monocytic fasciitis. These results suggest that the myalgia experienced by individuals with TRAPS is due to a monocytic fasciitis and not to myositis.