Clinical Image: Extensive Calcification of Subcutaneous Tissue in Overlap Syndrome of SLE and SSc
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By
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Jianmei Cao
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Jinchao Jia
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July 1, 2026
Clinical Report: Extensive Calcification of Subcutaneous Tissue in Overlap Syndrome of SLE and SSc
Background
Calcinosis is a common complication in connective tissue disorders, particularly systemic sclerosis (SSc), and can lead to significant morbidity. The presence of dystrophic calcification, as seen in this case, can result in pain, infection risk, and mobility limitations. Understanding the clinical manifestations and management options for calcinosis is crucial.
Data Highlights
No numerical data or trial data were provided in the source material.
Key Findings
- A 50-year-old female with a 15-year history of systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis presented with advancing subcutaneous lesions.
- Lesions included multiple symmetric subcutaneous indurations and large, plate-like calcified plaques.
- Imaging studies confirmed extensive subcutaneous calcinosis without significant organ involvement.
- Mycophenolate mofetil was selected to address the chronic inflammatory process due to the advancement of lesions.
- Traditional treatments for calcinosis have shown limited effectiveness.
Clinical Implications
Management of calcinosis in patients with systemic sclerosis requires careful consideration of treatment options, as no guideline-endorsed therapies currently exist. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for significant morbidity associated with calcinosis.
Conclusion
This case illustrates the challenges in managing calcinosis in patients with autoimmune conditions.
Related Resources & Content
- Clinical Rheumatology, 2015 -- Evaluation of Calcinosis in Systemic Sclerosis Patients Using Dual-Energy Computed Tomography
- Clinical Rheumatology, 2022 -- Perspective: A Comprehensive Evaluation Strategy for Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease Related to Systemic Sclerosis
- Clinical Rheumatology, 2026 -- Longitudinal clinical response to Janus kinase inhibitors in systemic sclerosis: a real-life multicentric study across multiple clinical domains
- POS1095 The Global Prevalence and Associated Disease Features of Calcinosis in Systemic sclerosis: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis - ScienceDirect
- Results from the international collaborative systematic literature review informing the 2023 EULAR recommendations for the treatment of systemic sclerosis - ScienceDirect
- conexiant — Leopardlike PET Pattern and Sarcoidlike Reaction
- POS1095 The Global Prevalence and Associated Disease Features of Calcinosis in Systemic sclerosis: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis - ScienceDirect
- Results from the international collaborative systematic literature review informing the 2023 EULAR recommendations for the treatment of systemic sclerosis - ScienceDirect
Based on findings from:
Clinical Image: Extensive subcutaneous calcification in SLE/SSc overlap syndrome
Jianmei Cao, Jinchao Jia. Acr Open Rheumatology, 2026.
https://acrjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/acr2.90103
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