Smooth muscle myopathy as an underrecognized manifestation of active systemic lupus erythematosus

Intern Med J. 2011 Jun;41(6):495-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2011.02505.x.

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease with protean manifestations. We here present a case of unexplained diarrhoea and abdominal pain in a patient with SLE. Investigations revealed dilatation of stomach, small bowel and colonic wall, biliary and pancreatic ducts, renal collecting systems and ureters as well as thoracic aorta and major pulmonary arteries, as manifestations of a smooth muscle myopathy that was responsive to immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporin A.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / diagnosis*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / drug therapy
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Smooth / pathology*
  • Muscular Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Muscular Diseases / drug therapy
  • Muscular Diseases / pathology

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids