[Loss of digital substance in rheumatic diseases. Apropos of 43 cases]

The authors briefly summarize 16 cases involving digital necrosis observed in the course of rheumatic disorders (3 carpal tunnel syndromes, 2 cases of panarteritis, 2 of rheumatoid arthritis, 2 of lupus erythematosus, 2 of scleroderma, 2 of dermatomyositis, 1 of adult form of Still's disease, 1 of gout, and 1 case of cryoglobulinemia). In addition the case reports of 129 patients with connective tissue disease were reviewed (74 cases of disseminated lupus erythematosus, 43 of scleroderma, and 12 mixed connective tissue disorders). Soft tissue destruction of digits was observed in 15, 39 and 25% of these patients respectively, and true tissue necrosis of varying extent in 7, 9 and 0% of these cases. The incidence and pathogenic mechanisms responsible for these disorders and lesions were discussed.