Less common arthropathies F. hypertrophic osteoarthropathy

Abstract

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy is characterized by abnormal proliferation of skin and bone at the distal parts of the extremities. Clinical features include bulbous deformity of the tips of the digits (conventionally known as clubbing) and periostosis of the tubular bones. The development of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy may indicate the presence of a significant internal illness, often a pulmonary malignancy or inflammatory disease of the lung. Abnormal vascular endothelial growth factor expression may play a central role in the pathogenesis of this condition. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. © 2008 Springer-Verlag New York.