PULMONARY LESIONS IN DISSEMINATED LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

A pathologic study of the gross and microscopic pulmonary lesions in 54 cases of disseminated lupus erythematosus was made and the results were tabulated in an effort to demonstrate the wide range of abnormalities that can occur. Special attention was directed toward the basophilic mucinous edema occurring in the perivascular and peribronchiolar connective tissues and the alveolar wall. The relative frequency of this change (16.6%) in the group studied and the absence of fibrinoid degeneration are of some interest. A possible histo-chemical relationship between mucinous edema and fibrinoid formation, based upon precipitation of acid mucopolysaccharides in the connective-tissue ground substance, has been suggested. On the basis of the data presented, the following conclusions seem warranted: (1) Pulmonary lesions occur commonly in patients with disseminated lupus erythematosus. (2) Secondary infection and vascular damage account for the changes most frequently noted. (3) There is no pathognomonic pulmonary lesion in this syndrome. (4) Basophilic mucinous edema affects peribronchiolar, perivascular and interstitial connective tissues of the lung, but also has been described in connective tissues of other organs in this syndrome.