Nascimento V, Sharma R, Rock P, et al. Subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 20 Feb 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-52208
Subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules are the most common extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis, occurring in up to 40% of patients. They are universally associated with a positive rheumatoid factor (RF) 1.
Clinical presentation
The size of the nodules varies from 2 mm to 5 cm; they are firm, non-tender, and movable in subcutaneous tissue 2. They usually are seen in the subcutaneous plane of the forearm, elbows, occiput, and lumbosacral area 3.
Pathology
Rheumatoid nodules are characterized histologically by a core of fibrinoid necrosis with surrounding palisading histiocytes and granulation tissue.
1. Sayah A, English JC. Rheumatoid arthritis: a review of the cutaneous manifestations. (2005) Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 53 (2): 191-209; quiz 210-2. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2004.07.023 - Pubmed