Rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis: an initial dermatological manifestation of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis

Mohammed AG, Adam Essa ME, Abdalla Babker AE, Mohamed Abdelsatir A, Mohammed Elagib E. Neutrophilic dermatoses in a seronegative rheumatoid arthritis patient: A case report

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease, characterized by symmetric and destructive polyarthritis with a broad-spectrum clinical manifestation of various organs. RND is an unusual distinctive manifestation of RA and typically develops in severe RA. This report aims to present an unusual and a rare neutrophilic skin condition, in a seronegative RA Sudanese patient. A 51-year-old woman was diagnosed with RA three years ago and a history of bilateral polyarthritis, presented with a skin rash involving her extremities and abdomen. Clinical examination of her skin revealed the presence of maculopapular lesions affecting the extensor surfaces of the lower extremities and the lower part of the abdomen with hyperpigmentation. Hand X-ray demonstrated periarticular osteopenia, and laboratory and immunological studies that include C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF), anticitrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPAs), and antinuclear factor in addition to skin biopsy were all suggested a diagnosis of neutrophilic dermatosis. The patient received steroids for the skin lesion still no significant improvement was seen, and then, cyclosporin 100 mg was administrated twice/ day with close monitoring, and two weeks later marked improvement was shown.

Rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis

Rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis is a rare extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis, both seropositive and seronegative for rheumatoid factor. The condition most often presents as symmetric erythematous papules, nodules, plaques, and urticaria-like lesions in patients with severe, long-lasting rheumatoid arthritis. We report a case of a 65-year-old man with well-controlled rheumatoid arthritis, who developed rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis on the right lower leg. The biopsy of skin lesions revealed an intense, neutrophilic dermal infiltrate, microabscesses, and leukocytoclasis without vasculitis. The patient responded well to pulses of intravenous methylprednisolone. We present this patient due to the rarity of the disease and atypical unilateral manifestation involving the flexural surfaces of the lower leg.

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

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.

Management of neutrophilic dermatoses

Neutrophilic dermatoses, including Sweet's syndrome, pyoderma gangrenosum, and rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis, are inflammatory conditions of the skin often associated with underlying systemic disease. These are characterized by the accumulation of neutrophils in the skin. The associated conditions, potential for systemic neutrophilic infiltration, and therapeutic management of these disorders can be similar. Sweet's syndrome can often be effectively treated with a brief course of systemic corticosteroids. Pyoderma gangrenosum, however, can be recurrent, and early initiation of a steroid-sparing agent is prudent. Second-line treatment for both of these conditions includes medications affecting neutrophil function, in addition to immunosuppressant medications.

Rheumatoid arthritis: a review of the cutaneous manifestations

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory arthritis with significant extra-articular manifestations. Of note are unique cutaneous manifestations that the dermatologist may encounter. This article will make the dermatologist more cognizant of these skin findings in patients with this systemic inflammatory disorder. It examines rheumatoid arthritis, focusing on the general nonspecific and disease-specific rheumatoid arthritic skin changes. Classic rheumatoid nodules, accelerated rheumatoid nodulosis, rheumatoid nodulosis, rheumatoid vasculitis, Felty syndrome, pyoderma gangrenosum, interstitial granulomatosus dermatitis with arthritis, palisaded neutrophilic and granulomatosis dermatitis, rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and adult-onset Still disease are reviewed. Understanding the cutaneous expressions of rheumatoid arthritis may lead to early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and lower morbidity and mortality for the affected persons. Learning objective At the completion of this learning activity, participants should be able to describe rheumatoid arthritis in terms of its epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, and general and specific cutaneous manifestations.

A bullous neutrophilic dermatosis in a patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis and monoclonal IgA gammopathy

A 35-year-old man presented with a 2-month history of itchy grouped vesiculobullae with crusted papules and confluent plaques, distributed symmetrically on the thighs, knees, and elbows. The man had experienced severe disabling seropositive rheumatoid arthritis for 18 years previously. Histologically, subepidermal vesicles were noted, and a dense, diffuse neutrophilic infiltration of the dermis. Direct immunofluorescence studies did not detect IgA deposits. The patient responded well to dapsone (100 mg/d) but not to systemic steroids. This patient's eruption might have been an unusual manifestation of rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis.