Pulmonary manifestations of systemic lupus erithematosus

Abstract

The various pulmonary manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus are described in this review; it includes related (pleurisy with/without effusion, acute lupus pneumonitis, diffuse interstitial disease, pulmonary hypertension, diaphragmatic dysfunction, atelectasis, pulmonary hemorrhage) as well as associated (infection, uremic pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax, pseudolymphoma, sarcoldosis, miscellaneous) conditions. Clinical, pathological, pathogenic, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects are considered. Emphasis is done on certain general therapeutic considerations, namely: to rule out the possibillty of an infectious process and use wide-spectrum antibiotics until certainty is acquired that it is not present; to use every available diagnostic resource until a definite diagnosis Is established; to use Immunosuppressive therapy once infection is ruled out as well as when there has been no response to adequate antibiotics.