ABSTRACT
This is a rare disorder which often presents as a ‘butterfly rash’ on the face with arthralgia, lymphadenopathy and fever, most commonly in young women. Lung complications may include: • pleurisy and pleural effusions – both are common. Effusions are small; • lupus pneumonia. Bilateral patchy pneumonia with fever and hypoxia; • ‘shrinking lung’ – restrictive ventilatory defect. The diminished lung
volume and size is thought to be due more to respiratory muscle weakness than lung fibrosis.
