An Autopsy Case of Rheumatoid Arthritis Associated with Proliferative Endarteritis Died of Sudden Severe Melaena

Abstract

A 68-year-old male with a 2-year history of rheumatoid arthritis was hospitalized due to severe polyarthritis. Since level of rheumatoid factor was high, and subcutaneous nodules and cutaneous ulcers were present, the case was diagnosed as malignant rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatoid vasculitis). On 10th day after admission, severe dyspnea developed due to acute heart failure, followed by severe melaena. The patient did not respond to various treatments including steroid pulse therapy, and died 3 days later. Autopsy revealed widespread hemorrhagic infarction that was extended from the colon to the rectum. Proliferative endarteritis was recognized in mesenteric vessels, however neither necrosis nor inflammatory changes were observed. The melaena was caused by the interstinal infarction. The intestinal infarction was thought to be responsible for the circulatory disturbances due to heart failure in obstructive vessel lesion of mesenteric vessels. © 1996, The Japan Society for Clinical Immunology. All rights reserved.