Systemic lupus erythematosus associated with interstitial pneumonia and achalasia

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem disorder where the etiology is not clearly known. Symptomatic chronic interstitial pneumonitis is an uncommon manifestation, with a reported prevalence of 3-13%. Achalasia is rare disease that presents with failure in the relaxation of the esophagus sphincter. A 22-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of fever, cough and dyspnea. The patient had a history of pericardial effusion and Raynaud's phenomenon. The results of laboratory tests indicated the presence of lymphopenia and included positive antibody tests for antinuclear antibody and anti Sm antibody. A chest X-ray demonstrated the presence of peribronchial infiltration on both lung fields. A Chest CT image showed interlobar septal thickening, ground-glass opacity and a honeycomb appearance in both lung fields and esophageal dilatation with air fluid level. An esophagogram showed the presence of dilated esophagus ends that represented the non-relaxed lower esophageal sphincter. Manometry demonstrated incomplete sphincter relaxation. The case was diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus associated with interstitial pneumonia and achalasia.