Shrinking lung syndrome presenting as an initial pulmonary manifestation of SLE

Abstract

Shrinking lung syndrome (SLS) is a rare pulmonary complication of an underlying autoimmune disorder and is reported in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We describe the favorable outcome of SLS in an 18-year-old Hispanic male who presented with SLS as the initial pulmonary manifestation of SLE.

Keywords: SLE; diaphragm; low lung volumes; pulmonary function tests; restrictive lung disease; shrinking lung syndrome (SLS).