Presentation
Patient with a known autoimmune connective tissue disorder. Thoracic X-ray and CT for suspected pulmonary infection (cough and fever).
Patient Data
There are amorphous cloud-like calcifications in the soft tissues of the back. Also, there are other calcifications surrounding the shoulder joints consistent with calcifications in periarticular ligaments, as well as around the anterior axillary folds.
Erector spinae muscles present extensive bilateral calcifications as well as the posterior thoracic wall on the left side and the hypochondrium on both sides.
There is no evidence of lung infection or lung manifestations of the known disease.
Case Discussion
Scleroderma has a strong predilection for women (F:M = 3:1) and is a disease of middle age. It can have multiple manifestations in different systems such as pulmonary, gastrointestinal and renal. In this case, the patient has involvement of the musculoskeletal system, manifesting as subcutaneous, intramuscular and periarticular calcifications. There is no evidence of pulmonary involvement.
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