Pulmonary hemorrhage as a manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus

Authors

  • Bruno Hollanda Santos Santa Casa of Belo Horizonte; Medical Clinic Ward
  • Rodrigo Ribeiro Santos Santa Casa of Belo Horizonte; Medical Clinic Ward
  • Celeide Fátima Santos Santa Casa of Belo Horizonte; Medical Clinic Ward
  • Adriana Maria Kakehasi Santa Casa of Belo Horizonte; Medical Clinic Ward
  • Hermann Alexandre Vivacqua Von Tiesenhausen Santa Casa of Belo Horizonte; Medical Clinic Ward

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812004000100008

Keywords:

Alveolar hemorrhage, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Pulmonary capillaritis

Abstract

The authors report a case of a 19-year-old woman admitted for the investigation of fever and hemolytic anemia for the previous 2 months. As an inpatient, she had convulsions and sudden loss of consciousness, developing hemoptysis, hypoxia, and respiratory insufficiency. Examination showed pericardial effusions on the echocardiogram and bilateral alveolar condensations on the thoracic radiograph. A hypothetical diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus was made, and measurement of the antinuclear factor was requested along with daily pulse therapy methylprednisolone, in spite of which the outcome was fatal. Afterwards, the result of the antinuclear factor test was positive, with a titer of 1:5120, showing a fine punctiform pattern, fulfilling the criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus according to the American College of Rheumatology. Secondary pulmonary hemorrhage in this connective tissue disease is an uncommon but serious complication that involves a high level of mortality in spite of intensive treatment, as is also reported in the literature.

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Published

2004-02-01

Issue

Section

Case Report

How to Cite

Pulmonary hemorrhage as a manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus . (2004). Revista Do Hospital Das Clínicas, 59(1), 47-50. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812004000100008