Shrinking lung syndrome (SLS) is a rare cause of dyspnea that has been most commonly described in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but is also found in systemic sclerosis, Sjögren’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Shrinking lung syndrome is characterized by a restrictive pattern on lung spirometry, despite normal lung parenchyma, and an elevated diaphragm.1…
Kidney involvement is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Collectively termed lupus nephritis, SLE with kidney involvement comes in many subtypes. The current classification by the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS), however, does not include lupus podocytopathy, which, through various clinical and epidemiologic studies, has recently been…
Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a systemic autoinflammatory disorder characterized by persistent fever at regular intervals, arthralgias or arthritis, rash, sore throat and neutrophilic leukocytosis.1,2 Significant elevation in ferritin levels is characteristic and tends to correlate with disease activity. Additional clinical features may include myalgias, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, serositis, myocarditis, abnormal liver function tests and development…
Pachydermoperiostosis (PDP), also known as Touraine-Solente-Golé syndrome or primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, is a rare syndrome that can be inherited as autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, or sporadically. This progressive disease primarily affects males, who tend to have more severe features than females. PDP usually occurs during adolescence, often starting around puberty.1 The main clinical features are…
The Case A 47-year-old woman presented with a one-year history of bilateral submandibular gland swelling, mild symptoms of xerostomia and xerophthalmia and arthralgias in her fingers. A review of systems was otherwise unremarkable. On physical examination, her submandibular glands on both sides were enlarged and had a firm texture. Her parotid glands were normal, as…
Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a rare gastrointestinal pathological process defined by the presence of gas within the layers of the intestinal wall, commonly within the mucosa and submucosa of the small and large intestines.2,3 PCI has been described in the literature in association with various connective tissue diseases, including scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease,…
Hajdu-Cheney syndrome (HCS) is a rare connective tissue disease, with fewer than 100 cases reported worldwide.1 Hallmark features include acro-osteolysis (i.e., resorption of the distal phalanges of the hands and feet), osteoporosis, facial dysmorphisms, and craniofacial and dental abnormalities. Patients often have short stature and can have neuroanatomical deformities causing intellectual disabilities. These patients can…
Thromboembolic events are major contributors to the morbidity and mortality of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA), but little is known about how GCA may increase the risk of ischemic strokes. GCA-related stroke is described as an ischemic cerebral infarct occurring within three to four weeks of GCA diagnosis and treatment. It occurs in 3–7%…
Defined by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in individuals with clinical evidence of thrombosis or pregnancy morbidity, antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune thrombophilia. Clinical thrombosis, which should be confirmed by objective validated criteria (e.g., imaging studies or histopathology), can occur in the arterial, venous or small vessel vasculature and is not limited…
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a primary, necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis, involving small- to medium-sized arteries, that causes systemic disease. Almost any organ can be affected, but the most affected systems are the upper airways, lungs, kidneys, eyes and peripheral nerves. Migratory polyarthritis is reported in approximately 25% of patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated…