Induction of complete and sustained remission of rheumatoid pachymeningitis by rituximab

Abstract

Aseptic pachymeningitis is a rare and serious complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Herein, we describe a patient with rheumatoid factor–positive and anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide–positive RA who experienced a focal seizure, with aphasia and convulsions of the right side of the body. The findings of magnetic resonance imaging and histologic analysis led to a diagnosis of rheumatoid pachymeningitis. Because the patient had a large number of CD20‐expressing B lymphocytes, therapy with rituximab was started and has resulted in complete and sustained remission of both the pachymeningitis and the RA for >2 years. Despite a decrease in immunoglobulins, the patient has remained free of infections, which illustrates the favorable outcome that can result from therapeutic B cell depletion in this potentially lethal manifestation of RA.