Rheumatoid nodule presenting as a buccal submucosal nodule: A rare presentation of a common disease.
Rheumatoid nodules are a common manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis but buccal rheumatoid nodules are extremely rare. The purpose of this study was to report a rare case of a rheumatoid buccal nodule and a review of the literature.



This case is about a 79-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis who was taking methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine, presenting with an enlarging left buccal submucosal mass. An incisional biopsy showed features consistent with that of a rheumatoid nodule. The mass was managed expectantly and the patient was taken off methotrexate with a marked reduction in the size of the nodule.



Submucosal rheumatoid nodules of the oral cavity are an extremely rare manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis but should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with a history of rheumatoid arthritis presenting with submucosal masses. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Head Neck 39: E12-E14, 2017.
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.
Gerald Ci-An
GC
Tay
Department of Pathology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.
David A
DA
Sauer
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.
Peter E
PE
Andersen
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009055:Mouth; D012218:Rheumatoid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy
autoimmune; buccal mass; methotrexate; rheumatoid arthritis; rheumatoid nodule