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Bilateral upper limb lymphoedema associated with psoriatic arthritis: a case report and review of the literature
Author(s) -
Böhm M.,
Riemann B.,
Luger T.A.,
Bonsmann G.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2000.03905.x
Subject(s) - medicine , psoriatic arthritis , psoriasis , lymphatic system , rheumatoid arthritis , elbow , lymphedema , arthritis , surgery , upper limb , radiology , dermatology , pathology , cancer , breast cancer
Lymphoedema is an unusual extra‐articular feature of rheumatoid arthritis and has rarely been described in psoriatic arthritis. We report a 41‐year‐old man with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis who developed bilateral lymphoedema of the upper extremities. Lymphoscintigraphy showed absent lymphatic drainage in the right arm and a subnormal increase in lymphatic flow under manual exertion in both arms. Colour Doppler ultrasound studies did not reveal venous or arterial abnormalities. Conservative management and therapy with cyclosporin (for worsening arthritis) resulted in partial resolution of the lymphoedema and improvement of flow parameters on the right side upon repeat lymphoscintigraphy.