Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome presented with abdominal, pulmonary, and bone marrow complications

Rheumatol Int. 2010 Jan;30(3):401-4. doi: 10.1007/s00296-009-0946-z. Epub 2009 May 18.

Abstract

We are presenting a case of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome in an adult female manifesting with abdominal thrombosis, pancytopenia, and alveolar hemorrhage. Alveolar hemorrhage is infrequently reported as it is difficult to diagnose, but it is considered as a life-threatening condition. The diagnosis should be made promptly based on clinical symptoms coupled with radiological features. Once this diagnosis is suspected, treatment with corticosteroids and anticoagulation must be initiated as soon as possible in order to reduce severe morbidity and high mortality.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Acute Disease / therapy
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / complications*
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / pathology
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Dyspnea / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Hemorrhage / pathology
  • Hemorrhage / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung / physiopathology
  • Lung Diseases / etiology*
  • Lung Diseases / pathology
  • Lung Diseases / physiopathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancytopenia / etiology*
  • Pancytopenia / pathology
  • Pancytopenia / physiopathology
  • Pleural Effusion / diagnostic imaging
  • Pleural Effusion / etiology
  • Pleural Effusion / pathology
  • Portal Vein / pathology
  • Portal Vein / physiopathology
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / pathology
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / physiopathology
  • Steroids / therapeutic use
  • Thrombosis / etiology*
  • Thrombosis / pathology
  • Thrombosis / physiopathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Steroids