Clinical features may mimic scleroderma (pseudoscleroderma) with:
(1) thickening of the subcutaneous tissue with overlying skin taut and shiny
(2) limb swelling
(3) limb stiffness with reduced flexibility
The swelling of the fascia can be appreciated on MRI.
Other causes of fascial edema to exclude:
(1) scleroderma
(2) other autoimmune disease
(3) vascular thrombosis
The diagnosis of chemotherapy-associated fascial edema can be made if the edema disappears after the drug is stopped and then reappears on restarting the medication.
The patient presented by Lim et al has a positive ANA with a titer of 1:160, raising the possibility of drug-induce lupus.
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