Rheumatoid Nodules of Bilateral Heels -A Case Report-

We reported a case of rheumatoid nodules in the bilateral heels whose diagnosis was difficult to differentiate from plantar fibromatosis in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features.A-58-year-old woman had a 2-year history of rheumatoid arthritis. The mass was located adjacent to her right calcaneous measuring 3.5×2cm, and to the left calcaneous measuring 2×2cm, respectively. In the MRI characteristics, the right lesion was of low signal on both T1-weighted (T1W) and T2-weighted (T2W) images, and following gadolinium administration, the lesion enhanced heterogeneously. Additionally, the left mass demonstrated partial cystic features. Surgical excision of the right lesion was performed under the suspicion for plantar fibromatosis, but the specimen showed the rheumatoid nodule in microscopic examination.The MRI appearance of the rheumatoid nodules is variable dependent on their histopathologic evolution. We believe that awareness of these MRI and pathological patterns is necessary in the interpretation of imaging studies in rheumatoid patients.