A case with hydroureteronephrosis accompanied by Lupus Mesenteric Vasculitis

Abstract

Lupus mesenteric vasculitis is an uncommon and severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Frequently, these patients exhibit dilated bowel segments, focal or diffuse thickening of the intestinal walls, abnormal contrast enhancement in the intestinal wall, target or double halo, mesenteric edema, engorged mesenteric vessel and ascites in abdominal computerized tomography (CT) imaging. However, these signs lack specificity, limiting the diagnostic role of CT. Intestinal pseudoobstruction in association with hydroureteronephrosis has been previously reported in SLE patients. Here in, we report a case of lupus mesenteric vasculitis occurring in conjunction with hydroureteronephrosis. Presence of hydroureteronephrosis may assist in improving the specificity of CT in lupus mesenteric vasculitis.