Polyserositis and Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis: An Uncommon Manifestation of Undiagnosed Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a common systemic disease in the rheumatologic field. Serositis and gastrointestinal symptoms are common manifestations of SLE; however, polyserositis concurrently with acute acalculous cholecystitis is a rare and usually underestimated entity that can be associated with SLE. Medical treatment with steroids is efficacious and, in most instances, cholecystectomy can be avoided. We present the case of a young female patient with polyserositis and acute acalculous cholecystitis secondary to undiagnosed SLE, who eventually required surgical laparoscopic intervention and improved with immunosuppressive treatment.