A rare case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus presenting as acute myopericarditis with bilateral pleural effusions.

Abstract

Acute myopericarditis is a rare presentation in clinical practice with multiple aetiologies. Eventhough cardiac manifestations are known to be present in up to 50% of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients, acute myopericarditis is an uncommon presentation, occurring in up to 1% of patients. Here we report a patient who presented with fever and pleuritic type chest pain and was managed as acute myopericarditis with bilateral exudative pleural effusions and later diagnosed to have SLE. The patients were initially treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and later with steroids and hydroxychloroquine. Early diagnosis of myopericarditis and identification of the aetiology is essential to halt the progression of disease. Pericarditis due to Tuberculosis need to be excluded before starting steroids in the Sri Lankan setting.