Development of severe limited scleroderma in complicated Raynaud's phenomenon after limb immobilization: report of two cases and study of collagen biosynthesis.

Abstract

We describe 2 patients with Raynaud's phenomenon who developed severe sclerodermatous changes after immobilization. The scleroderma was confined to the immobilized limb. Histologic examination of tissue samples of the affected skin showed mononuclear cell infiltrates and marked collagen deposition in the dermis and subcutaneous adipose tissue. In vitro biosynthetic studies demonstrated a dramatic increase in collagen production by cultures of involved skin from one of the patients. These results suggest that immobilization resulted in activation of dermal fibroblasts (perhaps mediated by inflammatory cells) and in the subsequent development of fibrosis in both of these patients.

• Authors: J Varga, S A Jimenez
• Journal: Arthritis and rheumatism (Arthritis Rheum) Vol. 29 Issue 9 Pg. 1160-5 (Sep 1986) ISSN: 0004-3591 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3753543 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Collagen

Topics

• Adult
• Collagen (biosynthesis)
• Female
• Fracture Fixation (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Immobilization
• Middle Aged
• Raynaud Disease (complications, etiology)
• Scleroderma, Localized (complications, pathology)
• Skin (pathology)