Progressive systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma presenting as pulmonary interstitial fibrosis.

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to report the clinical features of 10 patients with systemic sclerosis presenting with lung disease in the absence of cutaneous involvement (systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma).

Patients And Methods: The study involved a retrospective review of patients with systemic sclerosis at a tertiary care facility presenting with clinical and/or radiographic evidence of interstitial lung disease in the absence of cutaneous manifestations of scleroderma, and a MEDLINE, computer search for patients who presented with lung disease and later developed taut skin (scleroderma).

Results: Ten patients with systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma presenting with pulmonary signs or symptoms were discovered.

Sonography of systemic lupus nephritis.

Renal sonography was compared with commonly obtained laboratory and pathologic data in 31 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Sonography was 95% sensitive in the detection of lupus nephritis, with the major abnormalities being abnormal renal size and cortical echogenicity. Sonography was useful in locating the kidneys for biopsy and in excluding hydronephrosis.