Familial plantar fibromatosis.

Abstract

Plantar fibromatosis is considered to be the plantar counterpart of Dupuytren's disease or palmar fibromatosis. Although in Dupuytren's disease an autosomal dominant inheritance has been demonstrated,1 familial cases of plantar fibromatosis are rare. Here we report a case of familial plantar fibromatosis, affecting a father and a son. A 50‐year‐old man was referred to our department in August 1995 after the relapse of painful bilateral plantar nodules excised 2 years previously. On examination, there were tender subcutaneous nodules on the medial aspect of the plantar surface of both feet. The patient had bilateral Dupuytren's palmar contracture. No knuckle pads nor Peyronie's disease were detected. Histological examination of a nodule demonstrated the presence of ill defined bundles of spindle‐shaped fibroblasts within a collagenous matrix. Tumour cells were of uniform morphology, with ovoid and elongated nuclei, without atypia or mitosis. The patient declined further surgery. Colchicine 3 mg per day was not helpful. Bimonthly intralesional injections with triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg/ml diluted 1 : 3 with 2% mepivacaine hydrochloride resulted in symptomatic relief. The patient is now asymptomatic for 6 years post‐treatment.