Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention. These are the main aspects to consider when you are dealing with lipoid dermato-arthritis. Read on to learn more about them.

Symptoms

Symptoms of lipoid dermato-arthritis include asymmetric or progressive inflammatory polyarthritis. The most common joints affected are the fingers, knees, and shoulders. The disease has recently been recognized as a form of lipid metabolism, and it is thought to be caused by the release of a lipid substance from the skin. The condition is not life-threatening but can be painful. Occasionally, the nodules or rash may regress. Corticosteroids may have little or no effect on the disease. It is important to note that the information on this page is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Neither the author nor the publisher assumes liability for any misuse of information contained herein.

Among the more notable lipoid dermato-arthritis symptoms are the formation of cutaneous papules and nodules. These nodules may contain a polymorphous dermal infiltrate of cells. The lesions also may have the appearance of a reddish-brown rash. However, the clinical significance of these symptoms is not well understood. Some patients develop symmetric polyarthritis, resulting in morning stiffness for more than half an hour. Other patients have asymmetric polyarthritis with asymmetric deformities.

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis, or the “Lipoid dermato-arthritis,” is a rare multisystem arthropathic reticulocytosis. It is also referred to as the “Lipoid rash of the mouth” or the “Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis.” It is associated with arthritis of interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints and is more common in women than men. Moreover, it has been suggested that this disorder may be a lipid storage disease. This is not necessarily the case, as some of the cells composing these nodules may be macrophages or true histiocytes.

Diagnosis

Fortunately, early detection of lipoid dermato-arthritis is possible with the aid of a roentgenogram. The aforementioned roentgenogram can be used to identify if your symptoms are of the type characterized by a small number of nodules, or if they are of the more numerous, larger type. Similarly, a corticosteroid injection can help reduce the pain associated with the disease. A plethora of drugs has been approved to treat the condition, ranging from anti-inflammatory to adipose tissue transplants.

A roentgenogram is also the best way to rule out other conditions, such as psoriasis and lichen planus. If the roentgenogram fails to produce a positive result, a visit to the ER may be in order. It may also be a good idea to ask your doctor about a referral to a roentgenologist. If you have the requisite insurance, a referral to one could save the hassle of trying to negotiate a deal on your own.

Treatment

Until recently, there were no specific treatment methods for lipoid dermato-arthritis. However, the condition is now being recognized as a disease of lipid metabolism and is associated with destructive polyarthritis, similar to that of rheumatoid arthritis.

A patient with this type of arthritis will typically present with inflammatory joint disease and cutaneous lesions. The most common skin manifestation is a diffuse-distributed congestive rash that affects the chest, neck, back, and face. A patient may also have a brown papulonodular lesion that occurs in the buccal mucosa, hypoglossal mucosa, or ear. In some patients, a brown papulonodular nodule is the only symptom. A patient with a brown papulonodular lesion is at risk for developing a more serious complication, known as a xanthogranuloma. Xanthogranulomas can occur in children or adults and are classified into juvenile and adult types.

The skin lesions usually appear as erythematous to brown papulonodules and may coalesce into plaques. In some cases, the early lesions have a polymorphous dermal infiltrate of cells. A radiograph will reveal disproportionate bone destruction. The erosions may spread from the margin of the bone to the joint surface. Occasionally, urokinase is involved in the erosion of cartilage. Corticosteroids may have little effect on arthritis, but they may cause temporary regression of the skin nodules.

In many cases, the condition goes into remission. In the most severe cases, a patient can develop arthritis mutilans, a life-threatening form of arthritis that is characterized by extensive destruction of joints. In this case, a patient can develop deformities, which can persist even after treatment. A patient with symmetric polyarthritis has morning stiffness that lasts for more than half an hour. The condition may be symmetric or heterogeneous, and the affected joints may include the interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal, and phalangeal joints. The treatment for this type of arthritis is focused on controlling inflammation and preventing further bone erosion. The results of treatment for six months are usually significant and lead to a marked improvement in mobility and function.

More on Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis PubMed (nih.gov)