Reactivation of primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy by bronchogenic carcinoma

Z. Jajic, S. Grazio, T. Nemcic, I. Jajic

Department for Rheumatology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, "Sestre milosrdnice" University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia.

ABSTRACT
This paper reports 2 cases of primary hypertrophic osteoarthopathy (PHO) which evolved into secondary hypertrophic osteoarthopathy (SHO) under the influence of bronchogenic carcinoma. The patients had a clinical picture of primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy but without any signs of disease activity until in the last several months when a malignant bronchopulmonary condition developed. This activated all the symptoms: joint swelling; enlarged fingers and distal forearms and legs; moist palms and soles; unpleasant odour of perspiration; and deeper folds of the forehead and nasolabial furrow. A bone scan showed increased accumulation of the radioisotope in specific regions of the skeleton. To our knowledge, no similar cases have been described in the literature. 

Key words
Primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, reactivation, bronchogenic carcinoma. 

Please address correspondence and reprint requests to: Professor Ivo Jajic, Department for Rheumatology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, "Sestre milosrdnice" University Hospital, Vinogradska c. 29, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2001; 19: 95-97.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2001.