Open AccessLongitudinal lung involvement of systemic lupus erythematosus‐related vasculitis and alveolar proteinosis‐like reaction
Author(s) -
Suzuki Takahito,
Enomoto Noriyuki,
Horiike Yasuoki,
Asada Kazuhiro,
Shirai Toshihiro,
Suda Takafumi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
respirology case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.304
H-Index - 9
ISSN - 2051-3380
DOI - 10.1002/rcr2.559
Subject(s) - medicine , vasculitis , lung , pathology , lesion , prednisolone , lung biopsy , systemic vasculitis , gastroenterology , disease
A 44‐year‐old woman with no symptoms was referred to our hospital for thorough examination of consolidation opacity on her left lung, which was growing for four years. She was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at the age of 35 years and had been treated with prednisolone 10 mg/day. Physical examination and bronchoscopy revealed no abnormality including microbiological tests. She underwent surgical resection of the lung lesion. Lung biopsy specimens showed aggregation of lymphocytes with germinal centres and collagen deposition. Vasculitis and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP)‐like reaction were also found. We diagnosed this lung opacity as an SLE‐related lung lesion with vasculitis and PAP‐like reaction. Lung involvement of SLE is scarce and long‐term lung vasculitis and PAP‐like reaction are extremely rare in patients with SLE. Clinicians should be aware of such SLE‐related lung consolidation opacity that comprises lung vasculitis and PAP‐like reaction.