Erasmus Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND Erasmus syndrome is a rare disease entity characterized by the development of systemic sclerosis (SSc) in a background of silica exposure or silicosis. CASE REPORT We report the case of a 40-year-old Filipino man who previously worked in a silica grind mill for 10 years and eventually developed Erasmus syndrome. The patient initially presented with chronic back pain in 2018 associated with findings of pulmonary tuberculosis on chest X-ray, with notable improvement after 6 months of anti-tuberculosis treatment. However, his back pain recurred in 2021; this time with arthralgia, Raynaud's phenomenon, thickening of both hands, skin hypopigmentation on the chest, back, and forehead, and exertional dyspnea. Physical examination revealed salt-and-pepper dermopathy and skin tightening over the back, chest, and extremities. Mobility of his hands was limited, associated with sclerodactyly and digital pitting. Antinuclear antibody-immunofluorescence and anti-scleroderma-70 antibodies were strongly positive, confirming the diagnosis of SSc. Chest computed tomography illustrated multiple subcentimeter nodules and enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes with eggshell calcifications, consistent with silicosis. Spirometry with body plethysmography was normal but diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide was severely reduced. Histopathology of the skin showed markedly thickened collagen bundles in the dermis. CONCLUSIONS Chronic silica exposure is a risk factor for the development of silicosis. The clinical course of patients with silicosis may be complicated by SSc. Maintaining a high index of suspicion is key to the diagnosis of Erasmus syndrome. The present report emphasizes the importance of preventive measures and surveillance among those with occupational exposure to silica. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of Erasmus syndrome in the Philippines.