[Improvement of pancytopenia and articular and by splenectomy in a patient with Felty's syndrome].

A forty seven year-old woman with a 18 years history of rheumatoid arthritis presented with recurrent infection and pancytopenia. A diagnosis of Felty's syndrome was made hand on clinical and laboratory findings. In spite of drug therapy using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, D-penicillamine and corticosteroid, the hematological abnormalities and active joint symptoms continued. Recurrences of severe bacterial infection and the rupture of esophageal varices necessitated splenectomy. Soon after the operation, dramatic improvement of hematological abnormalities were observed. Furthermore, after 3 months postoperatively, marked decrease in rheumatoid activities and disappearance of subcutaneous nodules were noticed. Titer of rheumatoid factor also showed a significant reduction and became negative 6 months after the operation. Although the efficacy of splenectomy on hematological abnormalities in Felty's syndrome has been well documented, its effect on rheumatic disease has not been clarified. The case presented here might suggested that suppression of reticuloendothelial system may have therapeutic effects in rheumatoid arthritis. The possible mechanisms involved in these findings have been discussed.