title: Severe, recurrent lupus enteritis as the initial and only presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus in a middle-aged woman.
abstract: We describe a previously unreported condition of severe, recurrent lupus enteritis accompanied with severe hypocomplementemia as the initial and only presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus. Systemic lupus erythematosus should be suspected in any patient with computed tomography findings of enteral vasculitis or ischemic enteritis, even without lupus-related symptoms or signs; C3/C4 levels may be helpful in the differential diagnosis. If the symptoms do not improve after medical treatment, such as using steroid or cyclophosphamide pulse therapy, or necrosis and perforation of the intestines are highly suspected, surgical intervention should be considered.
authors: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Jen-Ai General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors: Hsien-Ping
authors: HP
authors: Lin
authors: Yao-Ming
authors: YM
authors: Wang
authors: An-Ping
authors: AP
authors: Huo
mesh_terms: D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004751:Enteritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids; D003520:Cyclophosphamide