Recurrent pneumothoraces and mediastinal emphysema in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Neither pneumothorax or mediastinal emphysema are well recognized pulmonary manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We describe a 41-year-old woman with severe lupus pneumonitis complicated by recurrent pneumothoraces and mediastinal emphysema. Other features of SLE were minimal. She died of progressive respiratory failure. Autopsy revealed innumerable blebs in both lungs responsible for the pneumothoraces and mediastinal emphysema. Both pneumothoraces and mediastinal emphysema occurred during a course of corticosteroid therapy. The course of her illness was unaffected by treatments that included high dose corticosteroids, immunosuppressives and plasmapheresis. Better medical treatment for these lupus complications should be sought in addition to surgery.
Masuda
A
A
Department of Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical College, Japan.
Tsushima
T
T
Shizume
K
K
Mochizuki
T
T
Isono
K
K
Demura
H
H
Miyasaka
N
N
Nishioka
K
K
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000209:etiology; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012008:Recurrence
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones