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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Chinese Woman Presenting with Gangrene of the Fingers
Author(s) -
Cheah J. S.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 0004-8291
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-5994.1973.tb03977.x
Subject(s) - medicine , gangrene , prednisolone , dermatology , rheumatoid arthritis , anti nuclear antibody , lupus erythematosus , rheumatoid factor , cryoglobulins , surgery , immunology , antibody , autoantibody
Summary: Gangrene is an uncommon and unusual manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It usually occurs in the course of SLE; as a presenting feature it is even less common. A 33‐year‐old Chinese housewife with SLE presenting with gangrene of the fingers is described; the onset of the SLE was about three weeks before the onset of the gangrene. She also had periorbital swelling and fever. Raynaud's phenomenon was absent. Lupus erythematosus cells and the rheumatoid arthritis factor were present in the blood. The serum immunoglobulins showed a rise in the IgG and IgM and a fall in IgA levels. The Sia's water test was negative and cryoglobulin was absent. Stellate ganglion block was of little benefit while prednisolone relieved the pain in the gangrenous fingers. After three months of prednisolone treatment the tips of the gangrenous fingers dropped off spontaneously. The literature of gangrene in SLE is briefly reviewed.