A case of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome, which presented an acute interstitial pneumonia-like image on chest CT scan

Mod Rheumatol. 2015 Jan;25(1):150-3. doi: 10.3109/14397595.2013.874751. Epub 2014 Feb 18.

Abstract

We report the case of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) complicated with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). A female patient was diagnosed with acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP) with MCTD by chest CT scan. Corticosteroid therapy was refractory for lung involvement, and she died due to acute respiratory failure. The autopsy revealed that AIP was compatible with lung involvement of CAPS. We therefore suggest that chest CT might reveal AIP-like findings in CAPS patients whose condition is complicated with pulmonary manifestations.

Keywords: Acute interstitial pneumonia; Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome; Mixed connective tissue disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / complications*
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / etiology*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / complications*
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / pathology
  • Radiography