A Rheumatoid Nodule of the Hand, an Important and Rare Differential Diagnosis of Swellings of the Hand: Case Report and Literature Review

Swellings of the hand are commonly encountered in a general practice setting and include a multitude of diagnoses. Although majority of these lesions are benign, a specific diagnosis should be achieved for an appropriate treatment. We present a case of a very unusual rheumatoid nodule on the palmar aspect of the hand, but without any rheumatological disease, which was initially misdiagnosed as a tendon sheath tumor. The nodule was successfully treated by surgical excision. The patient made an uneventful recovery, did not experience progression to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and showed no recurrence during the one-year follow-up. We suggest that when dealing with patients with a hand mass, a rheumatoid nodule should be considered as a differential diagnosis. Understanding the cutaneous expressions of RA can enable early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and lower morbidity and mortality for the affected persons