Pleuropulmonary manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus.

The pleuropulmonary manifestation of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) are pleuritis, acute lupus pneumonitis, chronic interstitial lung disease with fibrosis, alveolar hemorrhage, respiratory muscle and diaphragmatic dysfunction, atelectasis, bronchiolitis obliterans, pulmonary vascular disease with pulmonary hypertension, and pulmonary embolism. This article reviews these specific pleuropulmonary consequences of SLE while focusing on clinical, pathologic, and therapeutic considerations.