Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2005 , Vol 51 , Num 2

Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy Associated with Bronchogenic Carcinoma: A Case Report

Börteçine N. Arslan; 1 ,İlyas Tutar 1 ,Nilnur Konuralp 1 ,Fatma D. Meydan Ocak 1 ,Mehmet Hayri Özgüzel 2
1 SSK Okmeydanı Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon Kliniği, İstanbul
2 Sağlık Bakanlığı Okmeydanı Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon Kliniği, İstanbul

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy is most frequently encountered in males between fourth and sixth decades and is composed of a triad of symmetric arthritis, periostitis and digital clubbing. The most common cause of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy is bronchogenic carcinoma. Since hypertrophic osteoarthropathy may be confused with other rheumatologic diseases and may delay the diagnosis of the primary causative disorder, it should be kept in mind. We reported a case of 47 years old man who reffered to our hospital with complaints of pain and swelling at knees and ankles . Before he has admitted to our clinic, he was evaluated and treated as he had a rheumatologic disease. Physical findings on admission were clubbing of the fingers and swelling of knees and ankles. Plain radiographs and computerized tomography of the chest revealed a tumor with an irregular margin in the right upper lobe. The patient was diagnosed as hypertrophic osteoarthropathy associated with primary pulmonary carcinoma. Symptoms of the patient were improved clinically after he had right thoracotomy and upper lobectomy. 

Keywords : Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, pulmonary osteoarthropathy, digital clubbing