[Radiology of the hand in progressive systemic sclerosis]

Radiographs and xerographs of the hands of 35 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), as defined by the ARA, were reviewed. Patients with "overlap" syndromes (i.e., mixed connective tissue disease, systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis) have been excluded. Soft tissue changes included atrophy (hide-bound skin), and dystrophic calcifications, particularly in CREST patients (calcinosis, Raynaud phenomenon, esophageal dysmobility, sclerodactily and telangectasia). The most common bony change is resorption of distal phalanges; diffuse osteoporosis is also frequent; the distal interphalangeal and first carpometacarpal joints involvement appear as a distinctive feature of this erosive arthritis.