Pachydermodactyly: a case of an unusual type of reactive digital fibromatosis

Abstract

To the Editor.— Pachydermodactyly is a benign form of digital fibromatosis affecting young males with negative family history. This form of digital fibromatsis consists of asymptomatic circumscribed swelling of the fingers. 1-5 Only 11 cases are reported in the literature; we report another case and discuss the possible pathogenetic mechanism of pachydermodactyly. Report of a Case.— In April 1991, a 19-year-old man presented with a 7-month history of circumscribed swelling of the fingers of both hands. The lesions appeared as asymptomatic, rather doughy, pink-colored, padlike swellings that affected the medial and lateral sides of the proximal phalange of the middle and ring finger and the medial surface of the index and little fingers (Fig 1). The thumbs, the outer aspects of the index and little fingers, and toes were spared. A general clinical examination showed normal findings. Roentgenograms of the hands showed soft-tissue swelling without bone abnormalities. The patient's family