Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS₃PE)

We report 2 elderly patients who present with a relatively acute onset of a severe symmetrical synovitis affecting the flexor digitorum tendon sheaths and wrist joints with pitting edema of the dorsum of both hands. These patients were seronegative for rheumatoid factor and responded to treatment with low dose predonisone (10 mg daily) without relapse. These presenting features were closely linked with the RS₃PE syndrome originally described by McCarty.