[Neutrophil granulocytes in rheumatic tissue destruction].

Periarticular rheumatoid nodules from 27 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were investigated with a histochemical method to identify polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN's). In all necrotic areas PMN's were present, however, in different densities. Most of the necrotic areas contained a minimal or intermediate infiltration with these inflammatory cells. Six rheumatoid nodules exhibited a severe vasculitis with dense perivascular infiltrations of PMN's. This vasculitis was preferentially seen in nodules with necrosis densely infiltrated with PMN's. From the present results it is assumed that PMN's may be involved in the pathogenesis of fibrinoid necrosis in rheumatoid nodules.