Rheumatoid arthritis and pseudo-vesicular skin plaques: rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatosis

Abstract: A 54 year-old woman with a 3-year history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) consulted us because of weight loss, fever and skin eruption. On physical examination, erythematous plaques with a pseudo-vesicular appearance were seen on the back of both shoulders. Histological examination was consis...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Juan Manriquez, Laura Giesen, Constanza del Puerto, Sergio Gonzalez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia 2016-08-01
Series:Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia
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Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0365-05962016000400500&tlng=en
Description
Summary:Abstract: A 54 year-old woman with a 3-year history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) consulted us because of weight loss, fever and skin eruption. On physical examination, erythematous plaques with a pseudo-vesicular appearance were seen on the back of both shoulders. Histological examination was consistent with rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatosis (RND). After 3 days of prednisone treatment, the skin eruption resolved. RND is a rare cutaneous manifestation of seropositive RA, characterized by asymptomatic, symmetrical erythematous plaques with a pseudo-vesicular appearance. Histology characteristically reveals a dense, neutrophilic infiltrate with leucocitoclasis but without other signs of vasculitis. Lesions may resolve spontaneously or with RA treatment. This case illustrates an uncommon skin manifestation of active rheumatoid arthritis.
ISSN:0365-0596