A paraneoplastic case of palmar fasciitis and polyarthritis syndrome

A 58-year-old woman presented with arthritis of the small joints of her hands and rapidly progressive joint contractures. She was wheelchair bound within 2 months of the onset of her symptoms. Physical examination revealed synovitis of the small joints of her hands and palmar fasciitis. The patient had been diagnosed with pancreatic carcinoma approximately 1 year before the presentation of her rheumatic symptoms, and had undergone radical pancreatico-duodenectomy.

Physical examination; routine laboratory work, including full blood count and measurement of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein; serological tests for rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies and extractable nuclear antibodies; measurement of serum tumor markers; radiological investigations, including X-rays of her hands and feet, whole-body CT-scans and radioisotope bone scan.

The patient's rheumatic presentation was diagnosed as a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with pancreatic carcinoma.

The patient's condition was managed with corticosteroids and methotrexate. No residual tumor or evidence of metastatic disease have been detected in the 1.5 years since the initial presentation of her rheumatic symptoms.