Shoulder joint rupture in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis producing bicipital masses and a hemorrhagic sign.

Multiple episodes of shoulder joint rupture leading to the development of bicipital masses occurred in a 6-yr-old boy with the systemic form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Observations made during the rapid evolution of the masses included early physical findings in the proximal upper arm which suggested a malignancy. An unusual hemorrhagic sign appeared in the cease of the elbow. A sequence of events is postulated to explain the course of development of these masses.