Unusual Case Presentation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Young Woman
October 2022
in “
Rheumato
”
Studysummary This case report from Tishreen Hospital highlights that although rare, cardiac tamponade and acute surgical abdomen due to acute peritonitis and ascites can occur concurrently as initial presentations of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
A 25-year-old woman with severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented with rare initial symptoms of cardiac tamponade and acute peritonitis with ascites, along with dyspnea, fever, severe hair loss, and weight loss. After ruling out malignancy and infections, SLE was diagnosed based on clinical criteria and lab findings, including serositis, proteinuria, and positive antinuclear antibodies. Treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants led to significant improvement, underscoring the need to consider SLE in patients with unusual serositis presentations.
