Tuberc Respir Dis.  1996 Oct;43(5):786-791. 10.4046/trd.1996.43.5.786.

A Case of Pleural Effusion due to Vasculitis in Scleroderma

• Lee YH
• Sim JJ
• Kang KH
• Song GG

• KMID: 2158567
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1996.43.5.786

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis is a multisystemic disease of unknown origin charicterized by degenerative fibrotic and inflammatory changes in the skin, vessels, joints, muscles, and visceral organs. Involvement of the lung in systemic sclerosis is common, but pleural effusion is rare. Although vasculitis commonly accompanies many connective tissue disorders, it has been rarely reported in systemic sclerosis. A 43-year-old woman, with a 10-year history of Raynaud's phenomenon, was admitted due to right chest pain. Her hands showed diffuse thickening and swelling of skin. Chest X-ray showed pleural effusions and esophageal manometry showed hypotonic peristalsis and low lower esophageal sphincter tone compatible with scleroderma esophagus. Antinuclear antibodies were present (titer >1: 160) with a speckled pattern She was positive for rheumatoid factor, anti scl-70 and RNP antibodies, but negative for anti-Ro, La, and Sm antibodies. Histology of the pleura revealed the presence of leukocytoclastic vasculits. After administration of prednisolone 30 mg/day, her chest symptom was improved. We report a case of systemic sclerosis with pleural effusions due to leukocytoclastic vasculitis with review of the literatures.

Keyword

Systemic Sclerosis; Pleural Effusion; Vasculitis

MeSH Terms

Adult
Antibodies
Antibodies, Antinuclear
Chest Pain
Connective Tissue
Esophageal Sphincter, Lower
Esophagus
Female
Hand
Humans
Joints
Lung
Manometry
Muscles
Peristalsis
Pleura
Pleural Effusion*
Prednisolone
Rheumatoid Factor
Scleroderma, Systemic
Skin
Thorax
Vasculitis*
Antibodies
Antibodies, Antinuclear
Prednisolone
Rheumatoid Factor