A case report of systemic lupus erythematosus combined with Castleman's disease and literature review

Rheumatol Int. 2012 Jul;32(7):2189-93. doi: 10.1007/s00296-010-1451-0. Epub 2010 Mar 31.

Abstract

Although lymph node enlargement is common in active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), lymph node examination is frequently ignored in the diagnosis of SLE. Clinical presentation and abnormal laboratory findings are often sufficient for SLE diagnosis, not to mention that the specific histological finding of lymph node necrosis in SLE is rarely seen, and the follicular hyperplasia is usually considered as nonspecific. However, since the late 1990s, a few cases of SLE lymphadenopathy have been reported exhibiting a Castleman's disease (CD) morphology, which was discovered in lymph node biopsies. Here we report a similar case of SLE combined with CD in a 23-year-old girl who displayed systemic symptoms, including systemic lymphadenopathy and abnormal laboratory findings indicating the active phase of SLE. A biopsy of neck lymphnodes showed histopathological features of CD. The patient responded very well to the prednisolone treatment. Based on the related literature review, we would like to stress the possibility of CD in patients with SLE lymphadenopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Castleman Disease / complications
  • Castleman Disease / drug therapy
  • Castleman Disease / pathology*
  • Chest Pain / diagnosis
  • Chest Pain / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / drug therapy
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / pathology*
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Prednisolone