Rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis

Rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis (RND) is a rare disorder seen in patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis. We present a 63-year-old Japanese with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid lung who showed erythematous plaques and papules with pustules on his extremities and buttocks. Histological examination revealed a dense neutrophilic infiltration the upper dermis and neutrophilic abscesses in the dermal papillae. obvious vasculitis was seen. We suggest that RND could be included within the concept of a neutrophilic vascular reaction and that this condition develops through immune complex-mediated and neutrophil-induced vascular damage.