ABSTRACT
Neurological manifestations such as polyneuropathy are reported in 8-49% of cases with Sjögren's Syndrome (SjS), but central nervous system involvement is seldom described. We report a 46-year-old woman with a history of SjS with distal renal tubular acidosis and autoimmune thyroiditis. She consulted in the emergency room for a five-days history of holocranial headache and explosive vomiting. Fundoscopy showed bilateral papilledema. Brain computed tomography (CT) without contrast showed diffuse encephalic edema, with effacement ofsulci and restriction ofperitruncal cisterns. Brain AngioCT ruled out thrombosis, and brain magnetic resonance (MRI) was without structural alterations or hydrocephalus. Lumbar puncture had increased cerebrospinal fluid output pressure but without cytochemical alterations, and negative gram, cultures and filmarray. The diagnosis of Intracranial Hypertension Syndrome (ICHTS) ofprobable autoimmune etiology in the context of SjS was proposed, and management with high-dose corticosteroids was initiated with favorable clinical and imaging response.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: IgG4-related disease (IgG4 RD) is an immune-mediated fibro-inflammatory disorder, with tissue infiltration of IgG4+ plasma cells. It causes pseudotumors, tumors, and a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. AIM: To report the clinical, laboratory, histopathological and treatment characteristics of a group of Chilean patients with IgG4 RD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of medical records of 52 patients aged 18 to 76 years with IgG4 RD seen at six medical centers. RESULTS: Elevated IgG4 serum levels (> 135 mg/dl) were found in 18 of 44 (41%) patients. There was histological confirmation of the disease in 46 patients. The most common sites of involvement were lungs, eyes and kidneys. Eighteen (35%) patients had only one organ involved, 34 (65%) patients had two organs and 13 (25%) patients had three or more organs. The involvement of two organs was significantly more common in men (p < 0.05). In patients with only one organ involvement, the most frequent location was orbital and meningeal. All patients with kidney or lung disease had multiorgan involvement. All patients received corticosteroid therapy, 67% synthetic immunosuppressants, and 16% rituximab. CONCLUSIONS: ER-IgG4 can affect any tissue. Multiorgan involvement was more common in this series, with preference for lungs, eyes and kidneys. An excellent response to steroids is characteristic of the disease, but with a high relapse rate that requires additional immunosuppression.