Unusual diffuse pulmonary amyloidosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: Computed tomography findings

Abstract

Pulmonary involvement is a common feature in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. This may include pleuritis, pneumonitis, and pulmonary hemorrhage. However, the presence of diffuse consolidation on chest radiographs is less common, and is usually interpreted as pneumonia. Moreover, consolidations with massive calcifications are a relatively rare manifestation. The association of pulmonary amyloidosis and SLE seems quite unusual, and has rarely been described. We report a patient with SLE and massive multiple calcified consolidations on radiologic images, which were confirmed as secondary amyloidosis. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.