Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis: an autoimmune systemic disease? Case report of an association with erosive rheumatoid arthritis and systemic Sjogren syndrome

Abstract

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis is a rare, systemic, reactive histiocytic disease of unknown aetiology. Autoimmune diseases have previously been reported in association with multicentric reticulohistiocytosis, but whether this is a true association or mere coincidence is not known. Here, we report the case of a 50-year-old woman who had been diagnosed as suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), four years ago with positive rheumatoid serology was evaluated for multiple asymptotic papulonodules eruption. Histopathologic examination was suggestive of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis. She developed concomitantly Sjogren syndrome with systemic manifestations. Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis may be misdiagnosed as RA, but evaluation of the time course of specific symptoms can greatly help in the correct diagnosis. The possibility of commune etiopathogeny of these affections is discussed.