Bouchard’s Nodes

Other Known Aliases – none

Definition – nodular growths on the proximal interphalangeal joints of the fingers and toes

Clinical Significance – Most commonly seen in osteoarthritis and similar to Heberden’s nodes of the distal interphalangeal joints, though they are less common.

History – Named after Charles Jacques Bouchard (1837-1915), a French pathologist who received his medical doctorate in 1866 while studying under the famous Dr. Jean Martin Charcot. He practiced at the Bicêtre Hospital where he was appointed chair of general pathology in 1879.  His seminal work was the Traité de Pathologie Générale, which was a compendium of medical pathology and where the description of his eponymous findings were first recorded.

References

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2. Bartolucci S, Forbis P.  Stedman’s Medical Eponyms.  2nd ed.  Baltimore, MD; LWW.  2005.
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5. Up To Date. www.uptodate.com
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7. https://www.nature.com/articles/140457c0