Thyroid membrane involvement in rheumatoid nodules: a rare finding

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Pathology
• Oncology

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease primarily affecting joints.
• Extra-articular manifestations of RA can occur, sometimes presenting as unusual masses.
• Cervical masses in RA patients often raise concerns for malignancy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of a deep cervical rheumatoid nodule mimicking malignancy.
• To emphasize the importance of considering rheumatoid nodules in the differential diagnosis of cervical masses in RA patients.

Main Methods:

• Case presentation of a 76-year-old woman with a history of rheumatoid arthritis.
• Diagnostic imaging revealing a hypermetabolic cervical lesion.
• Surgical excision and histopathological examination of the lesion.

Main Results:

• Histopathology confirmed the cervical lesion to be a rheumatoid nodule.
• The patient's constitutional symptoms were attributed to rheumatoid arthritis and cognitive decline.
• Malignancy was ruled out.

Conclusions:

• Rheumatoid nodules are a rare but important differential diagnosis for cervical masses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Early recognition can prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary surgical interventions.
• This case underscores the diverse presentations of rheumatoid arthritis extra-articular manifestations.