title: Diffuse systemic sclerosis with bullous lesions without systemic manifestations.
abstract: Here, we describe an atypical case of systemic sclerosis in its diffuse cutaneous form with acute and rapid progression of the cutaneous condition, without any systemic manifestations and the infrequent formation of bullae, showing the importance of diagnosis and early treatment in such cases. This case also shows that special measures should be taken for bullous cutaneous lesions and ulcerations resulting from serious sclerosis, which are entry points and increase morbidity and risk of death. Other prognostic factors include age, ESR and renal and pulmonary involvement. Capillaroscopies can be useful predictors of greater severity of systemic scleroderma, revealing a greater link with systemic, rather than cutaneous, involvement.
authors.affiliation: State University of Rio de Janeiro, Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, Rio de JaneiroRJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paula Renaux Wanderley Caratta
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Macedo
authors.affiliation: State University of Rio de Janeiro, Pedro Ernesto University Hospital, Rio de JaneiroRJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Amanda Nascimento Cavalleiro de Macedo
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.affiliation: State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de JaneiroRJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alexandre Carlos
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Gripp
authors.affiliation: State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de JaneiroRJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria de Fatima Guimarães Scotelaro
authors.initials: Mde F
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: State University of Rio de Janeiro, Faculty of Medical Sciences.
authors.forename: Evandro Mendes
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Klumb
mesh_terms: D001768:Blister / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D045743:Scleroderma, Diffuse / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome