Cryptogenic Organising Pneumonia As The Initial Presenting Manifestation of SLE

Abstract

Cryptogenic Organising Pneumonia(COP), also called idiopathic Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organising Pneumonia(BOOP), is a  distinct entity  among the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias defined histopathologically by intraalveolar buds of granulation tissue. The etiology includes idiopathic, infectious, drug induced radiation induced and  connective tissue diseases. Organising pneumonia occurs particularly in patients with dermatomyositis-polymyositis where it may be the presenting  manifestation, and rarely in SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and other connective tissue diseases.  We describe  a 30 yr old  lady  who   initially presented with respiratory symptoms, not responding to antibiotics. She was subsequently  diagnosed as  SLE and  HRCT thorax showed consolidation involving both lung fields. A  percutaneous   lung biopsy revealed features of Cryptogenic Organising Pneumonia.