# An Atypical Case of CREST Syndrome With Early Complete Clinical Manifestation

## TL;DR

A rare case of CREST syndrome presented with all five symptoms within a year, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and comprehensive care.

## Contribution

This paper presents an atypical, rapidly progressive case of CREST syndrome with full clinical manifestation in a short timeframe.

## Key findings

- A 44-year-old patient developed all five CREST syndrome features within one year.
- The case highlights the importance of early recognition and multidisciplinary management in autoimmune diseases.
- Social determinants of health were emphasized as critical factors in patient care.

## Abstract

CREST syndrome, the limited cutaneous subtype of systemic sclerosis, is defined by five classic clinical features: calcinosis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia, which also forms the initialism. While diagnosis requires the presence of only three criteria, the full expression of all five is uncommon and typically develops gradually over many years. We describe the case of a 44-year-old Spanish-speaking female patient who presented to a community-based health clinic. Her initial evaluation identified the recent onset of Raynaud’s phenomenon, esophageal symptoms, sclerodactyly, and facial telangiectasia. Serology was notable for positive anti-centromere and antinuclear antibodies. One year later, she developed a painful mass on her right foot, ultimately identified as dystrophic calcification consistent with calcinosis. This case highlights a rare, rapidly progressive, and complete manifestation of CREST syndrome. This atypical presentation also underscores the importance of early recognition, multidisciplinary management, and careful attention to social determinants of health in patients with autoimmune disease.