Localized pericardial inflammation in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Regional or localized pericarditis has been infrequently reported. We report a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), who presented with retrosternal pleuritic-type chest pain without audible friction rub, electrocardiographic changes or detectable pericardial effusion on echocardiography. Computed tomography, however, revealed a circumscribed area of pericardial inflammation, suggesting a diagnosis of localized lupus-associated pericarditis. This case demonstrates that localized pericarditis may occur in SLE and that chest CT may be required as part of the work-up in the diagnosis of lupus pericarditis.
Medicine F, Sheba Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
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S
Ben-Horin
O
O
Portnoy
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R
Pauzner
A
A
Livneh
D000328:Adult; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed