Widespread Serous Membrane Involvement by Rheumatoid Nodules

Laparoscopic Aspiration Cytology in Rheumatoid Ascites

“…7,10 In conclusion, we present the characteristic cytologic effusion findings attributed to rheumatoid arthritis in an ascitic fluid from a 75-year-old man with poorly controlled, long-standing rheumatoid arthritis. This incidentally found ascites and peritoneal disease was not associated with any other known cause of ascites and is therefore attributed to rheumatoid disease.…”

Rare Form of Rheumatoid Nodule around Ischial Tuberosity Mimicking Ischiogluteal Bursitis

“…Rheumatoid nodules are frequently localized at sites of external pressure or repetitive irritation, such as the extensor surfaces of the hand, heel, sacral prominences, ears, and nose (1,5). To the best of our knowledge, there has been only one case report of a rheumatoid nodule, located in the skeletal muscle close to the fascia (6).…”

“…Old rheumatoid nodule may show cystic degeneration of the necrotic component that has progressed beyond the "fibrinoid stage" and looks like a cystic nodule (2,3,5).…”

“…The cystic form of rheumatoid nodule is composed of three zones; 1) a central necrotic zone; 2) an intermediate zone of radially arranged elongated cells, with pale nuclei and indistinct outlines; and 3) an outer zone of chronic inflammatory cells, in which plasma cells are numerous (2,3,5).…”

Histopathology of the Pleura

“…The pleural inflammation may be non-specific or represented by classic rheumatoid nodules [32,33]. Sometimes, the palisade of cells char acteristic of a rheumatoid nodule occurs in a linear manner over the surface of the pleura [34], An effu sion, unilateral or bilateral, generally forms.…”