Systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by recurrent pneumothorax: Case report and literature review

Spontaneous Pneumothorax in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Recent Infection with Coronavirus

A 50-year-old woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus and a recent infection with COVID-19 presented to the emergency department with acute shortness of breath twice in 10 days. She was diagnosed with myopericarditis attributed to COVID-19 infection (first admission), and chest X-ray revealed a small left-sided pneumothorax, pericardial effusion (second admission), with no mediastinal shift or other signs of tension. Computed tomography confirmed these results and revealed a few small cysts in the right lung. An echocardiogram demonstrated normal heart anatomy and filling dynamics. The patient was diagnosed with simple pneumothorax and ongoing myopericarditis managed with colchicine, ibuprofen, and low-dose prednisolone. The patient responded to treatment and was discharged. Pneumothorax association with COVID-19 is reported in a small number of publications, but the association is less clear with SLE. Our patient may have been predisposed to developing pneumothorax after COVID-19 infection due to her existing connective tissue disorder.

Triple-Negative Sjogren’s Syndrome and Recurrent Pneumothorax: An Uncommon Presentation of Autoimmune Disease

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic exocrinopathy caused by lymphocytic infiltration and is associated with numerous manifestations and morbidities. We discuss a case of a 60-year-old female who presented to the Acute Medical Assessment Unit complaining of progressive shortness of breath for one month, not associated with chest pain or lower limb swelling. She also reported joint pain involving both wrists and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, oral dryness, hair loss, and numerous tongue ulcerations. Blood workup revealed triple-negative SS, negative rheumatoid factor, anti-SSA and anti-SSB, a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer of 640. A diagnosis of SS was made. Nevertheless, her CT chest showed massive left-sided pneumothorax; subsequently, a chest tube was urgently inserted. The chest tube was removed two days later with complete resolution on chest X-ray (CXR). However, one week later, she presented with a recurrent pneumothorax that persisted and required surgical intervention that led to complete recovery afterward. Pneumothorax is an extremely rare but potentially unfavorable complication related to SS, with only two cases reported in the literature so far and usually associated with underlying lung pathology.

Unusual causes of pneumothorax

Pneumothorax is divided to primary and secondary. It is a situation that requires immediate treatment, otherwise it could have severe health consequences. Pneumothorax can be treated either by thoracic surgeons, or pulmonary physicians. In our current work, we will focus on unusual cases of pneumothorax. We will provide the etiology and treatment for each case, also a discussion will be made for each situation.

Spontaneous pneumothorax from cryptococcal pneumonia in systemic sclerosis: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Spontaneous pneumothorax is usually found in people with systemic sclerosis who have extensive pulmonary fibrosis with enlarged sub-pleural blebs. We report a case of spontaneous pneumothorax caused by cryptococcal pneumonia in a patient with systemic sclerosis with minimal sub-pleural emphysema.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 49-year-old Thai man with underlying limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis presented with acute low-grade fever, progressive dyspnea and right pleuritic chest pain for five days. Our patient had pulmonary fibrosis with bronchiectasis of both lower lungs related to this underlying disease. He received only low-dose steroid therapy, without any immunosuppressant. A chest radiograph revealed right lung pneumothorax with cloudy yellow color pleural fluid. Cryptococcal pneumonia was diagnosed by positive identification of the cryptococcal antigen in the serum and pleural fluid. His symptoms improved after intercostal drainage and fluconazole therapy.

CONCLUSION

Infection can exacerbate symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis with sub-pleural emphysema, thereby triggering a spontaneous pneumothorax. Pleural fluid--present but not initially seen because of the pneumothorax--could be a clue to a pre-existing pulmonary infection.