title: Hypertrophy of the feet and ankles presenting in primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy or pachydermoperiostosis: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pachydermoperiostosis or primary hypertrophic osteoathropathy is a rare genetic disease with autosomal transmission. This disorder, which affects both bones and skin, is characterized by the association of dermatologic changes (pachydermia or thickening of the skin) and rheumatologic manifestations (periostosis and finger clubbing). Here, we report a new observation of pachydermoperiostosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 20-year-old North African Tunisian Caucasian man presented with hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. On a clinical examination, we found morphologic abnormalities of his face and extremities associated with skin changes. The laboratory findings were normal. A work-up disclosed no organic etiology. The final diagnosis consisted of pachydermoperiostosis syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pachydermoperiostosis is a rare entity that should be differentiated from secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy and chronic rheumatic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia. akroutrim@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Rim
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Akrout
authors.forename: Samar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bendjemaa
authors.forename: Héla
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fourati
authors.forename: Mariem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ezzeddine
authors.forename: Imene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hachicha
authors.forename: Soufiene
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baklouti