CYSTIC LUNG DISEASE IN A YOUNG MALE WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

ABSTRACT

SESSION TITLE Challenges in Cystic Fibrosis Case Posters SESSION TYPE Case Report Posters PRESENTED ON 10/19/2022 1245 pm - 145 pm INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is seen in 30-50% of patients (most commonly Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonitis) but cystic lung disease is extremely rare (1). Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is an inflammatory lung disease that is characterized by infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells (2), and associated with lung cysts. Oftentimes, it is associated with HIV, lymphoma, and primary Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) (2), however there are rare reports of LIP associated with SLE (1). We present a case of a young male with incidental lung cysts who was found to have a new diagnosis of SLE. CASE PRESENTATION A 24-year-old male with a past medical history of premature birth at 5 months and prior mild COVID-19 infection presented with 3 weeks of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and unintentional 15-pound weight loss. He endorsed dry mouth, frequent cavities, and a new rash involving his chest, face, and lower extremities. Physical exam was significant for malar rash and dry mucous membranes. Labs revealed pancytopenia, sedimentation rate 61 mm/hour and C-reactive protein 5.54 mg/L. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest showed several thin-walled cysts in all bilateral lung lobes (predominant in right upper lobe) and bilateral axillary lymph nodes [Figure 1]. CT abdomen and pelvis was unremarkable. Autoimmune work-up resulted in a positive antinuclear antibody >11280, double stranded DNA antibody elevated at 34, elevated SSA and SSB antibodies (>8.0 and 1.4 respectively), and decreased Complement 3 (59.5 mg/dl) and 4 (10.1 mg/dl) levels. Peripheral smear, right axillary lymph node and bone marrow biopsies were negative for malignancy. He was started on prednisone and Plaquenil with symptomatic improvement. There is high suspicion of LIP given the clinical and radiological findings. He will follow up in clinic to obtain PFTs and schedule a lung biopsy. DISCUSSION: Interstitial lung disease in SLE presents in middle-aged patients at a later part of their disease course, with a female preponderance (2,3). An initial presentation of SLE and secondary SS in a young male and associated cystic lung disease is rare. The suspicion for LIP in association with SLE is high in our patient given variable size and distribution of lung cysts and coexisting secondary Sjogren's syndrome, although no ground glass or nodular opacities were found on CT chest as reported in typical LIP (3). Though this patient has no pulmonary symptoms, cysts/LIP in SLE tend to progress and have a high incidence of developing lymphomas, gammaglobulinemia and amyloidosis (2,3). CONCLUSIONS: It is important to establish a histopathological diagnosis and obtain baseline PFTs to monitor pulmonary disease manifestations. In addition to controlling the primary disease with antirheumatic drugs, steroids have been found to be useful in acute pulmonary flares (2). Reference #1 Maeda R, Isowa N, Miura H, Tokuyasu H. Systemic lupus erythematosus with multiple lung cysts. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2009 Jun;8(6)701-2. doi 10.1510/icvts.2008.200055. Epub 2009 Mar 12. PMID 19282324. Reference #2 Yood RA, Steigman DM, Gill LR. Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus. 1995 Apr;4(2)161-3. doi 10.1177/096120339500400217. PMID 7795624. Reference #3 Filipek MS, Thompson ME, Wang PL, Gosselin MV, L Primack S. Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus radiographic and high-resolution CT findings. J Thorac Imaging. 2004 Jul;19(3)200-3. doi 10.1097/01.rti.0000099464.94973.51. PMID 15273618. DISCLOSURES No relevant relationships by Matthew Fain No relevant relationships by Christina Fanous No relevant relationships by Rathnavali Katragadda No relevant relationships by CHRISELYN PALMA