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Bilateral pleural effusion in a patient with urticarial vasculitis
1Rheumatology Department, Hospital José M. Cullen, Santa Fe, Argentina.
Clinical Rheumatology
|September 1, 1994
Summary
Urticarial vasculitis syndrome can cause bilateral pleural effusion, a condition previously not widely recognized. This finding expands the known symptoms of this autoimmune disorder.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Nephrology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Urticarial vasculitis syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation of blood vessels.
- It typically presents with recurrent urticarial lesions, but can affect multiple organ systems.
Observation:
- A 32-year-old woman with a history of urticaria, acute anterior uveitis, and mesangial glomerulonephritis developed bilateral pleural effusion.
- Repeated episodes of urticaria and pleural effusion were investigated.
- Skin biopsy revealed normocomplementemic leukocytoclastic vasculitis.
Findings:
- The patient's presentation of bilateral pleural effusion was directly linked to recurrent urticarial vasculitis.
- Normocomplementemic leukocytoclastic vasculitis was confirmed histopathologically.
Implications:
- Bilateral pleural effusion should be recognized as a potential clinical manifestation of urticarial vasculitis syndrome.
- This expands the diagnostic criteria and understanding of the systemic involvement in urticarial vasculitis.
- Clinicians should consider urticarial vasculitis in patients presenting with unexplained pleural effusions and urticarial symptoms.