Rapidly Progressive Pancytopenia, Hepatomegaly, and Abnormal Lung Uptake of Colloid in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Possible Saturation of Reticuloendothelial System with Blood Elements

Authors

Tetsushi Sakurai
Kiyoshi Fukuda
Ichiro Kono
Teizo Kabashima
Kazuhide Yamane
Heihachiro Kashiwagi

Abstract

A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus developed severe abdominal pain and tender hepatomegaly associated with progressive pancytopenia and elevated serum levels of circulating immune complexes. Liver scintigram demonstrated extreme hepatomegaly with poor colloid uptake and splenomegaly with increased colloid uptake. An unusual accumulation of colloid in the lungs was also noted. Subsequent clinical and laboratory studies raised the possibility of saturation of the reticuloendothelial system in the liver by circulating immune complexes and blood cells, a condition demonstrated in experimental animals, but not hitherto well documented in the human immune complex disorder.

Recommended Citation

Sakurai, Tetsushi; Fukuda, Kiyoshi; Kono, Ichiro; Kabashima, Teizo; Yamane, Kazuhide; and Kashiwagi, Heihachiro (1984) "Rapidly Progressive Pancytopenia, Hepatomegaly, and Abnormal Lung Uptake of Colloid in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Possible Saturation of Reticuloendothelial System with Blood Elements," Henry Ford Hospital Medical Journal : Vol. 32 : No. 2 , 142-145.
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/hfhmedjournal/vol32/iss2/11