Splenic calcification in systemic lupus erythematosus

Description

A 39-year-old woman with known systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephropathy, antiphospholipid syndrome and chronic renal failure was evaluated for renal transplant. She was asymptomatic; nevertheless, the abdominal ultrasonogram showed splenic calcification (figure 1). The chest radiograph showed faint lesions suggestive of (L) hypochondrial calcification (figure 2). The tuberculin skin test result revealed induration of 3 mm. She had no history of treatment for tuberculosis or brucellosis. The angiotensin-converting enzyme was normal at 19 U/L (normal range 29–112 U/L). A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis showed a bulky spleen that contained numerous small and differently sized smooth calcific foci probably related to granulomatous disease. No calcification was seen in the liver (figure 3A, B). There were no definite or suspicious pulmonary nodules seen on a whole body fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (PET) scan. Similarly, numerous tiny splenic calcifications with no abnormal metabolic activity were detected...

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