LAUSR

Gastrointestinal involvement in systemic lupus erythematous may be the main manifestation and advance other symptoms. It can affect any organ and any part of the intestinal tract. Imaging has a major role in the diagnosis, the follow up and the screening of complications. SLE-related gastrointestinal manifestation can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Lupus mesenteric vasculitis is the most common cause, followed by protein-losing enteropathy, intestinal pseudo-obstruction and acute pancreatitis… The main objective of our observation is to remind this spectrum of manifestation and to delineate the role of imaging in this pathology through 2 cases. The first observation is about a 14-year-old girl, treated for SLE, who was admitted in our department for diffuse abdominal pain, abdominal distension and vomiting. The diagnosis of intestinal occlusion was made and an enhanced computed tomography was therefore performed showing circumferential wall thickening of jejunal and ileal loops and multiple fluid levels. No vascular thrombosis was observed. The final diagnosis was intestinal pseudo obstruction. The second observation is of a 12 year-old girl, with no particular history, presented vomiting and epigastric pain. Biological test revealed elevated serum amylase. Abdominal enhanced CT showed enlarged pancreatic gland with no other complications. The positivity of antinuclear antibodies were in favor of SLE.