Anti-synthetase syndrome in a patient with recurrent episodes of pulmonary embolism: a case report

Moemen Eltelbany; Yuting Huang; Preetinder Sandhu; Abdul Akbaryeh; Nzube Iloh; Dena H Tran; Jamal Mikdashi; Iram Bakhtawar

doi:10.1080/20009666.2020.1769421

Anti-synthetase syndrome in a patient with recurrent episodes of pulmonary embolism: a case report

J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2020 Jun 14;10(3):255-257. doi: 10.1080/20009666.2020.1769421.

Authors

Moemen Eltelbany¹, Yuting Huang¹, Preetinder Sandhu¹, Abdul Akbaryeh², Nzube Iloh², Dena H Tran¹, Jamal Mikdashi¹, Iram Bakhtawar¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus, Baltimore, MD, USA.
² American University of Antigua, College of Medicine, Osbourn, Antigua and Barbuda.

Abstract

Anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS) is characterized by myositis that is associated with progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD). The prognosis of the disease is affected by the type and degree of pulmonary involvement. We report a rare case of ASS with positive Anti-EJ antibody presenting with a combination of recurrent deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism (DVT/PE) and progressive ILD. This case demonstrates the delayed diagnosis of ASS and the association of thromboembolic disease and ASS. Physicians should have a high index of suspicion for ASS, as early diagnosis and management alters the morbidity and prognosis of patients with ASS.

Abbreviations: ASS: Anti-synthetase syndrome; Ab: Antibody; Ag: Antigen; ANA: Anti-nuclear antibodies; CK: Creatine kinase; CRP: C-reactive protein; DVT: Deep Vein Thrombosis; ESR: Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate; ILD: Interstitial lung disease; PE: Pulmonary Embolism; CTA: CT Angiography.

Keywords: Anti-synthetase syndrome; EJ-antibody; hemoptysis; interstitial Lung Disease; recurrent PE/DVT.

Publication types

Case Reports