Rare case of lupus enteritis presenting as colorectum involvement:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)is a multisystem autoimmune disease that can affect the gastrointestinal tract.Most cases of lupus enteritis(LE)involve the small intestine,while the involvement of the whole colon and rectum without the small intestine being affected is extremely rare.CASE SUMMARY A 35-year-old woman was diagnosed with colorectal LE after initially presenting with intermittent abdominal pain and vomiting for two months.She had a regular medication history for five years following the diagnosis of SLE but had been irregular in taking medications,which may have contributed to the onset of LE and led to her current hospital admission.According to the 2019 Classification criteria for SLE of the European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology,this case scored 14.Additionally,abdominal computed tomography revealed significant wall edema of the colon and rectum,ischemia and hyperemia of the ascending colon intestinal wall,mesenteric vessel engorgement,increased mesangial fat attenuation,ascites,and bilateral ureter-hydronephrosis,all indicative of colon and rectum LE.Laboratory tests also showed lower levels of complement C3 and C4,with an antinuclear antibody titer of 1:100.Overall,it was clear that this case involved the colon and rectum without affecting the small intestine,representing a rare manifestation of SLE.The patient received treatment with 10 mg of methylprednisolone sodium succinate,100 mL of 0.9%sodium chloride,hydroxychloroquine(100 mg),and nutrition support.After one week of methylprednisolone and hydroxychloroquine therapy,her SLE symptoms and disease activity improved significantly.CONCLUSION Although colorectal LE without small intestine involvement is very rare,early diagnosis and excellent management with corticosteroids prevented the need for surgical intervention.Physicians should be aware of colorectal LE without small intestine involvement as a manifestation of lupus flare.

Acute flare of systemic lupus erythematosus with extensive gastrointestinal involvement: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Lupus mesenteric vasculitis(LMV)is a serious condition that may occur as an acute manifestation of gastrointestinal(GI)involvement and is not easily diagnosed by physicians.Delayed diagnosis and treatment of LMV may lead to rapid disease progression and can be life threatening.CASE SUMMARY A previously healthy 27-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain following a history of fatigue and consumption of cold water.Laboratory invest-igations,physical examinations,and enhanced abdominal computed tomography(CT)suggested systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by LMV.She received treatments,such as GI decompression,somatostatin,glucocorticoids,and immu-nosuppressants,and was evaluated using color ultrasonography.Twenty days later,the patient reported no stomach discomfort and was able to consume semi-liquid food.Laboratory investigations showed that inflammatory factors decreased to normal levels and complement levels increased slightly.One year after discharged,she recovered with methylprednisolone being tapered to 4 mg per day,mycophenolate mofetil to 0.75 g bid,and hydroxychloroquine to 0.2 g bid;however,only C3 complement level was slightly below the normal level.CONCLUSION Early diagnosis of LMV is essential for successful treatment;this depends on a combination of clinical manifestations,laboratory investigations,and imaging findings.Enhanced CT is preferred,but ultrasonography can be used for prompt screening and follow-up.