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Review
. 2021 Nov 2:71:102984.
doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102984. eCollection 2021 Nov.

Systemic sclerosis cutaneous expression: Management of skin fibrosis and digital ulcers

Marta Starnoni  1   2 , Marco Pappalardo  1 , Amelia Spinella  3 , Sofia Testoni  3 , Melba Lattanzi  1 , Raimondo Feminò  4 , Giorgio De Santis  1 , Carlo Salvarani  3 , Dilia Giuggioli  3
Affiliations
Review

Systemic sclerosis cutaneous expression: Management of skin fibrosis and digital ulcers

Marta Starnoni et al. Ann Med Surg (Lond). .

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease with cutaneous involvement. Clinical manifestations result from the balance of inflammations/autoimmunity process and fibrogenesis. Patients suffer from skin ulcers, non-ulcerative lesions including digital pitting scars, telangiectasias, subungual hyperkeratosis, abrasions, fissures, and subcutaneous calcinosis. A review about the pathophysiology of the disease, the physical examination of the patients, the instrumental assessment, and possible treatments is performed.

Keywords: Autologous fat grafting; DU, digital ulcer; Digital ulcers; MHISS, Mouth Handicap in Systemic Sclerosis scale; ROM, Range of Motion; RP, Raynaud's phenomenon; SSc, Systemic sclerosis; SU, skin ulcer; Scleroderma; Skin fibrosis; Systemic sclerosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declares that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Purulent exudate before sharp debridement.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Bleeding Ulcer after sharp debridement.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Acral digital necrosis and gangrene.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Puffy hands.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Sclerodactyly and digital ulcer.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Sclerodactyly and digital ulcer.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Microstomia complicated by angular cheilitis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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