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Case Reports
. 2024 Oct 25;4(3):156-159.
doi: 10.53045/jprs.2024-0005. eCollection 2025 Jul 27.

Rheumatoid Nodule on the Hallux

Shusuke Matsumoto  1 , Jun Arata  1 , Teruyo Yamashita  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Rheumatoid Nodule on the Hallux

Shusuke Matsumoto et al. J Plast Reconstr Surg. .

Abstract

A subcutaneous rheumatoid nodule is a superficial soft tissue lesion that generally affects areas of frequent mechanical contact, such as the extensor aspect of the extremities, occiput, and sacrum. Rheumatoid nodules of the foot are rare, occurring in only 1% of cases. Herein, we present a case of a rheumatoid nodule on the plantar side of the left hallux in a 65-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis. The tumor was a 15 × 10 mm, dome-shaped, nontender, elastic hard mass in the plantar aspect of the left hallux. The discovery of rheumatoid nodules provides crucial information for the treatment and management of rheumatoid arthritis. Giant cell tumors may cause symptoms similar to those of rheumatoid nodules. Furthermore, difficulties are associated with differentiating rheumatoid nodules from giant cell tumors using imaging modalities. Therefore, the identification of these tumors requires careful observation.

Keywords: giant cell tumor; hallux; rheumatoid arthritis; rheumatoid nodule; soft tissue tumor.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
A rheumatoid nodule at the left hallux (left, dorsal view; right, plantar view of the left hallux). The yellow arrow indicates the tumor location.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Preoperative anteroposterior radiograph of the left hallux.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Preoperative T2-weighted MRI (left) and T1-weighted MRI (right).
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Photograph of a surgical specimen of the tumor (20 × 15 mm).
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
H&E section of the tumor showing a palisading granuloma with central necrosis.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
One year after surgery (left, dorsal view; right, plantar view of the left hallux).
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
T1-weighted MRI 1 year after surgery showing no recurrence.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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