Felty's syndrome in black Americans: a case report

This is a case report of a black woman with Felty's syndrome, who had recurrent, severe leg ulcers refractive to the usual treatment. The leg ulcers healed promptly after splenectomy and there has not been a recurrence of these lesions after three years' follow-up. The rarity of Felty's syndrome in blacks is highlighted and the literature on this aspect is reviewed. Information on seven patients with Felty's syndrome seen at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center is provided and the relationship of skin ulcers to splenectomy reviewed.