The Journal of the Korean Rheumatism Association  2007;14(3):274-278

doi:10.4078/jkra.2007.14.3.274

A Case of Extensive Involvement of Lupus Enteritis, from Small Bowel to Rectum.

Do Hyun KIM 1 ; Hyoung Jung NA ; Yu Ri CHOI ; Dong Hyuk NAM ; Chan Hee LEE ; Su Mi PARK ; Wonseok KANG

Affiliations

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Keywords

Systemic lupus erythematosus; Lupus enteritis; Extensive

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem ic inflammatory disorder mediated by autoantibodies and immune complexes that manifests with a variety of symptoms. Lupus enteritis is a serious complication of SLE and carries a high mortality rate, however the diagnosis is not easy for there are no specific clinical manifestations and laboratory findings. Lupus enteritis usually involves the mesenteric arteries causing ischemic changes of the small and large bowels, and yet rarely involves the rectum. Here, we report a case of a 26-year-old female lupus enteritis patient who presented with atypical abdominal pain. Early diagnosis was made by abdominal pelvic computed tomography (CT) scan, which showed extensive involvement of lupus enteritis from proximal small bowel to rectum. She recovered after being treated with high dose steroid therapy.