Jaccoud's arthropathy (JA) is a nonerosive, correctable deforming arthropathy that has been described in patients with rheumatic diseases, usually systemic lupus erythematosus. We herein describe a patient with relapsing polychondritis (RP) who rapidly developed unilateral JA after intermittent asymmetrical arthritis.The patient, a 67‐year‐old Japanese man, presented with joint swelling and pain that appeared and disappeared alternately in the left and right hands. His antinuclear antibody titer was 1/40, and rheumatoid factor and anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibody were negative. Hand radiography at the initial visit showed neither bone erosion nor abnormal bone alignment. Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug therapy was administered, but the arthritis did not improve. The joint swelling and pain, which were more severe in the left hand, became exacerbated; therefore, oral prednisolone (10 mg/day) was started 4 months after the initial onset of arthritis. Although the joint swelling rapidly improved, swan‐neck deformity of the left third, fourth, and fifth fingers remained (Figure 1A). Hand radiography showed no erosion (Figure 1B), and the deformities were passively correctable. Based on the nonerosive, correctable swan‐neck deformity without familial factors, the deforming arthropathy was classified as JA (1). Auricular chondritis, ocular inflammation, and audiovestibular damage appeared during the clinical course, and RP was finally diagnosed (2).
Figure 1
Deformities of the left hand on photography and radiography.
Deformities of the left hand on photography and radiography.In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, JA progresses over several years under conditions of bilateral chronic arthritis (3). However, patients with RP, which is characterized by asymmetric and intermittent synovitis/tenosynovitis, can develop unilateral arthropathy that progresses rapidly over several months.No potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.Disclosure FormClick here for additional data file.
Figure 1