Cutaneous involvement is one of the most common extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). More commonly, pyoderma gangrenosum and erythema nodosum are noted, but psoriasis, aphthous stomatitis, Sweet’s syndrome, and vasculitis may also occur. Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a rare cutaneous manifestation, characterized by the appearance of palpable purpura, urticaria, and ulcer-necrotic lesions predominantly in the lower extremities that improve with immunosuppressive therapy. In this case, we report a patient with CD and LCV. We also searched the literature on the diagnosis and treatment of LCV in patients with CD. Female, 31, presented with diarrhea containing mucus and blood, abdominal pain, arthralgia, and enanthematous plaques and ulcers with a hematinic background in the lower extremities. The results of the colonoscopy were compatible with CD and skin biopsy showed signs of LCV. Systemic autoimmune disease and primary vasculitis were ruled out. The patient received treatment with a systemic corticosteroid and the skin lesions improved. Outpatient treatment with antitumor necrosis factor therapy was initiated to promote skin healing and IBD clinical remission. As LCV is a rare manifestation of IBD, it is necessary to distinguish this dermatopathy from other systemic vasculitis. The engagement of a multidisciplinary team is essential for the correct diagnosis and management.
BACKGROUNDPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and severe complication of SLE, with a worse prognosis and poor survival with estimated prevalence 0.5-17.5%. Divided in two cluster: vasculitic when acute associated to other systemic manifestations or vasculopathic when chronic and in isolated form. Lupus myocarditis is also a rare and severe manifestation. Both require rapid clinical suspicion, diagnosis and aggressive immunosuppressive treatment.
CASE REPORTA 29-year-old female was initially evaluated in the emergency department describing oligoarthralgia of small joints, fatigue, loss weight of 26 kg in 5 months. Worsening of the symptoms in the last 4 days with facial swelling, malar rash and erythematous plaques on face and neck, oral ulcers and daily fever. At physical exam: recurrent bradycardia, but normal vital signs. The patient had previous diagnose of fibrous dysplasia in facial bones, and facial computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated periorbital cellulitis and broad-spectrum antibiotics were initiated. Cardiomegaly in chest X-ray. Transthoracic echocardiogram with pericardiac effusion, moderated mitral insufficiency, mid-apical dyskinesia, right ventricular failure (30%), preserved left ventricular function. Estimated pulmonary arterial systolic of 43 mmHg. Chest CT angiography excluded pulmonary embolism and interstitial lung disease. In the meantime, immune panel was compatible is SLE with ANA 1/640 quasi-homogeneous pattern, anti-DNA antibodies positive (38.4), anti-RNP and IgM anticardiolipin in high titles, low c3 and c4 complement levels-and also elevated natriuretic peptide (1,090 pg/mL). Initiated intravenous methylprednisolone 1 g for 3 consecutive days and cyclophosphamide mensal pulse (0.5 g/m²/month) by 6 months followed prednisone 1 mg/kg/day (tapering 10 mg/month) plus hydroxychloroquine 5 mg/kg/day.
CONCLUSIONAlthough the patient didn't present dyspnea and edema, fever, weight loss, bradycardia and cardiomegaly, the X-ray led us to clinical suspicion confirmed by echocardiogram. We describe a rare and severe case of vasculitic cluster of SLE-PAH associated to myocarditis and severe right ventricular failure. Rapid recognition and treatment were important for therapeutic success.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.