Sjögren's syndrome, cavitating lung disease and high sustained levels of antibodies to serine proteinase 3

Abstract

A case is described involving Sjögren's syndrome, high sustained levels of antibodies to serine proteinase 3, and cavitating lung disease. Possible diagnoses accounting for this unusual combination include a novel association of Sjögren's syndrome and Wegener's granulomatosis (suggested by the high and sustained levels of antibodies to serine proteinase 3) or a rare presentation of bronchiolitis obliterans organising pneumonia. Identification of the true nature of the patients illness facilitated more active management and a swift resolution of the clinical problem.