Concurrent occurrence of chylothorax, chylous ascites, and protein-losing enteropathy in systemic lupus erythematosus.
We describe 2 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who presented with chylothorax, chylous ascites, and protein-losing enteropathy. Analysis of pleural or peritoneal fluid revealed a high level of triglyceride and elevated 24 h stool alpha1-antitrypsin clearance in keeping with protein-losing enteropathy. One patient failed to respond to high dose corticosteroid therapy but recovered after 3 cycles of monthly cyclophosphamide treatment. The other patient initially responded to high dose corticosteroid therapy, but succumbed to infectious complications. This is the first report of occurrence of chylothorax and chylous ascites associated with SLE.
Lee
Chang-Keun
CK
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
Han
Ji Min
JM
Lee
Kung No
KN
Lee
Eun Young
EY
Shin
Jung Hyun
JH
Cho
You-Sook
YS
Koh
Younsuck
Y
Yoo
Bin
B
Moon
Hee-Boom
HB
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000368:Aged; D002916:Chylothorax / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D002915:Chylous Ascites / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018450:Disease Progression; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011504:Protein-Losing Enteropathies / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003520:Cyclophosphamide