Rheumatoid arthritis - elbow joint

Case contributed by Bahman Rasuli
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Known case of rheumatoid arthritis from 20 years ago and undertreatment of prednisone and DMARDs drugs (methotrexate and chloroquine) complained of gradual swelling of elbow joint antecubital fossa.

Patient Data

Age: 80 years
Gender: Male

Diffuse synovial thickening/hypertrophy throughout the elbow joint associated with marked joint effusion and capsular distension.

Large fluid equivalence signal synovial cyst measuring about 45*50*75 originated from the elbow joint surrounding the biceps tendon and myotendinous junction at distal third next to radial insertion with extension into the antecubital fossa.

Degenerative changes as cartilage thinning and fraying as well as marginal osteophyte formation at radio capitellar and olecranon-trochlea joints.

Case Discussion

Known case of rheumatoid arthritis with recent elbow swelling. MRI showed joint effusion, intra-articular synovial pannus, and synovial cyst surrounded distal of the biceps tendon.

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