J Korean Rheum Assoc.  2010 Mar;17(1):62-65. 10.4078/jkra.2010.17.1.62.

A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythromatosus Presenting with Periorbital Edema

• Kim JH
• Oh JS
• Kim DM
• Huh SJ
• Lim KH
• Do GW
• Hong SH
• Choi SW

• KMID: 2201994
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4078/jkra.2010.17.1.62

Abstract

Periorbital edema is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We describe here a patient with bilateral periorbital edema as a presenting symptom of SLE. A 23-year-old woman was admitted for a sudden onset of severe periorbital edema that developed 7 days previously. On the basis of the malar rash, arthritis of the right hand and left wrist, leukopenia, proteinuria and the positive anti-nuclear and anti-dsDNA antibodies, she was diagnosed with SLE. Kidney biopsy revealed lupus nephritis (WHO class IV). After treatment with high dose of steroids, intravenous cyclophosphamide and daily hydroxychloroquine, her symptoms resolved, including the periorbital edema. She was discharged with prescriptions for prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine and she remains well.

Keyword

Periorbital edema; Systemic lupus erythematosus

MeSH Terms

Antibodies
Arthritis
Biopsy
Cyclophosphamide
Edema
Exanthema
Female
Hand
Humans
Hydroxychloroquine
Kidney
Leukopenia
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
Lupus Nephritis
Prednisolone
Prescriptions
Proteinuria
Steroids
Wrist
Young Adult
Antibodies
Cyclophosphamide
Hydroxychloroquine
Prednisolone
Steroids

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Marked soft tissue swelling in the periorbital area.

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