title: Generalized Lymphadenopathy as Presenting Feature of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Case Report and Review of the Literature.
abstract: Lymphadenopathy could represent a vast spectrum of etiologies including infectious and non-infectious diseases. Besides proper history taking, physical examination, and laboratory investigations, a tissue diagnosis is often necessary to unmask the cause of generalized lymphadenopathy. Here we present a 23-year-old woman who was admitted for diffuse generalized lymphadenopathy, fatigue, malaise, weight loss, nausea, and bilateral lower extremity edema. She reported a history of seizures as well as stroke 2 years prior with no other medical conditions present. Although malignant and infectious etiologies were initially the primary targets for workup, her history of seizures and stroke remained a dilemma. Extensive workup for malignant and infectious diseases was unrevealing; however, rheumatologic workup was eventually positive for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This case illustrates that extensive generalized diffuse lymphadenopathy may be a presenting feature of SLE and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with diffuse lymphadenopathy and constitutional symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, 8900 Van Wyck Expressway, Jamaica, NY 11418, USA.
authors.forename: Wais
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Afzal
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, 8900 Van Wyck Expressway, Jamaica, NY 11418, USA.
authors.forename: Talal
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arab
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Research, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, 8900 Van Wyck Expressway, Jamaica, NY 11418, USA.
authors.forename: Tofura
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ullah
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, 8900 Van Wyck Expressway, Jamaica, NY 11418, USA.
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Teller
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, 8900 Van Wyck Expressway, Jamaica, NY 11418, USA.
authors.forename: Kaushik J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Doshi
keywords: Lymphadenopathy; Seizure; Stroke; Systemic lupus erythematosus