[Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy and thrombocytopenia in bronchial carcinoma].

Symptoms: A 40-year-old woman presented with an arthritis of the knees and ankles, digital clubbing and thrombocytopenia.

Examinations: Blood tests proved an inflammatory reaction. Clinical findings were the above mentioned oligoarthritis and a periostitis of the long extremity bones. Chest X-ray showed a lung tumor.

Therapy: After surgical treatment of the lung cancer both arthritis and thrombocytopenia normalized.

Conclusion: Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy is characterized by the combination of clubbing, arthropathy and periostitis. This paraneoplasia may be the presenting manifestation of occult malignancy. The diagnosis of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy should cause an intensive search of cancer. Further associated diseases are discussed.