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Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax--a case report
1Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medicine University Hospital, No. 100, Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan. jehsye@cc.kmu.edu.tw
Abstract:
Despite frequent pleuro-pulmonary involvement, spontaneous pneumothorax is rare in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we report a 17-year-old female patient with SLE, complicated by multiple organs involvement. She initially presented with interstitial pneumonitis and pulmonary hemorrhage, followed by spontaneous pneumothorax and CNS involvement. The patient was treated with immunosuppressive agents, including steroid and cyclophosphamide pulse therapies. Spontaneous pneumothorax happened to her once again at a different location during treatment. After aggressive therapy, the disease activity of SLE gradually diminished, and pneumothorax had not recurred during the further follow-up. Therefore, the pneumothorax may occur in SLE patients with high disease activity.
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Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
Pneumothorax-I
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology

