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Case Reports
. 2022 Oct 9;14(10):e30089.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.30089. eCollection 2022 Oct.

Generalized Lymphadenopathy as the First Manifestation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Leonor Soares  1 , André Rebelo Matos  1 , Marta Mello Vieira  1 , Rita Cruz  2 , Umbelina Caixas  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Generalized Lymphadenopathy as the First Manifestation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Leonor Soares et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Lymphadenopathy (LAP) is a common but nonspecific feature of many diseases, representing a vast spectrum of etiologies such as infectious or inflammatory diseases, malignancies, and drugs. In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), it can be the first manifestation. We present the case of a 20-year-old female with a history of fever, night sweats, anorexia, and asthenia for five months. She also had diffuse generalized LAP. Although malignant etiologies were our major concern, an extensive workup for malignancy and infections was unrevealing. However, an autoimmune workup led to the diagnosis of SLE. This case shows that SLE can present as generalized LAP with constitutional symptoms, and hence it should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Keywords: constitutional symptoms and sle; lupus lymphadenitis; lupus lymphadenopathy; lymphadenopathy; sle.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Bilateral axillary enlarged lymph nodes (arrows)
Figure 2
Figure 2. Bilateral pleural effusion (arrows)
Figure 3
Figure 3. Bilateral inguinal enlarged lymph nodes (arrows)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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