Secondary Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome Due to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report with Superior Mesenteric Artery Involvement

Abstract

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS); is a disease characterized by anti-phospholipid protein antibody positivity as well as recurrent vascular thrombosis and/or pregnancy loss. When no underlying disease is detected, it is classified as primary type; when there is another underlying rheumatologic disease, it is classified as secondary type. Secondary APS, most commonly develops due to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We present a case of ischemic colitis due to superior mesenteric artery involvement in APS. 59-year-old female patient diagnosed with SLE had sudden-onset hematochezia and acute abdomen. Therefore, the patient underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography (CT angiography). Thrombosis was detected in the superior mesenteric artery. This case was interesting in terms of different vascular involvement and treatment strategy in the gastrointestinal tract due to APS.

Keywords

• anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome
• ischemic colitis
• systemic lupus erythematosus